Russia set to suspend participation in OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

The Russian Federation Council jointly with the State Duma will draft a decision on suspending Russia's participation in the activities of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the relevant fee payment freeze.

This was reported in the Telegram channel of the Federation Council, Ukrinform reports.

"Colleagues, I would support (the motion – ed.), let's give an assignment to the Committee (of the Federation Council, - ed.) to work with colleagues from the State Duma and draft a decision on suspending our participation and, accordingly, on stopping Russia’s payments to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly," Valentina Matvienko, Chair of the Council, said, addressing the body on Wednesday.

The statement came following a speech by Vladimir Dzhabarov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who voiced the said position, saying it had been agreed with the State Duma. The decision will be adopted by both houses on July 3.

Matvienko and Dzhabarov separately emphasized that such a decision was preceded by the fact that Romania refused to issue visas to the Russian parliamentary delegation to participate in the OSCE PA session set to be held in the country from June 29 to July 3.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, State Duma Chair Vyacheslav Volodin threatened to suspend Russia's participation in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and simultaneously stop the payment of membership fees as early as February 2024.