OSCE PA Calls on Russia to Return Crimea to Ukraine

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) has adopted a resolution reaffirming that Crimea is not recognized as part of Russia during a meeting of its political and security committee held today. The document was authored by Arthur Gerasimov, a member of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, according to tass.ru.

"The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly once again expresses its respect for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, which includes the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, and maritime areas," the text of the resolution states.

The Assembly condemned Russia's blockade of Crimea, calling on the country to withdraw its forces from the peninsula and return it to the control of the Ukrainian government. The Russian delegation has opposed the resolution.