Russian Permanent Representative to the OSCE assessed the Finnish Chairmanship

Finland, which has assumed the post of the interim chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), operates with an erroneous perception of the root causes of the crisis of confidence in the organization and is guided by a false understanding of the causes of the conflict in Ukraine. Alexander Lukashevich, Russia's Permanent Representative to the OSCE, told Izvestia.

"Russia's initial consent to Helsinki's arrival "in the captain's wheelhouse" of the OSCE was given when our northern neighbor spoke from the position of neutrality and good-neighborliness. We trust that the Finns will strictly follow the mandate of the Chairmanship-in-Office, scrupulously observe the rules and procedures and cherish the consensus principle of decision-making. The practical actions of Helsinki will determine the OSCE and its ability to turn off the "political sidelines"," said Alexander Lukashevich.

In January, Finland took over the chairmanship of the OSCE for one year, taking over the baton from Malta. On January 23, European Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said in a speech on the occasion of taking office that support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine would be a priority of the Finnish chairmanship's work abroad.

"The degradation of the OSCE in all dimensions of security is taking on catastrophic proportions"

Alexander Lukashevich, Russia's Permanent Representative to the organization, on its incapacity, its role in resolving the Ukrainian crisis and difficulties in working with Western opponents

Last December 26, Lukashevich noted that Finland was an anti-Russian country and its chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe could create problems for Russia.