Will Russia Withdraw from the OSCE PA? Lavrov's Response

The possibility of Russia's withdrawal from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) has not been discussed yet, but the issue is "up in the air," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

According to vedomosti.ru, Lavrov stated during a government hour in the State Duma: "The question has not been discussed yet, but it is hanging in the air. Whether our allies will follow us is another question, and of course, we must fully take into account their positions."

On February 13, State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin announced that the lower house and the Federation Council would decide during their plenary session on February 21 whether to suspend Russia's participation in the OSCE PA and refuse to make the corresponding payments. This position has been previously coordinated with Lavrov, said Leonid Slutsky, chairman of the State Duma's International Affairs Committee.