(VOVWORLD) - The Russian Federation Council at its plenary session on Wednesday unanimously voted to adopt the Russian Federal Assembly’s motion to suspend Russia’sparticipation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) and stop paying dues to the organization.
 Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at a session of the Russian State Duma in Moscow. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
According to the Federal Assembly, despite the Russian delegation's repeated appeals and proposals, the OSCE PA leadership, instead of creating conditions for a constructive exchange of views and a unifying agenda, is using the platform as a politicized tool to deliberately implement an anti-Russian course.
Russian parliamentarians said the Russian delegation is ready to return to work if the OSCE’s leaders and member states reconsider their current approach to resolving urgent issues affecting European security.
Andrey Nastasin, Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Russia will not ignore the recent military build-up of NATO near the Russian border.
The TASS news agency quoted Nastasin comments on the Finnish Parliament's approval of a defense agreement with the US under which Finland will open 15 military facilities to the US military. The Russian official said this could threaten the country's security and Russia is taking all necessary actions, including military, to respond to NATO’s moves.