Ukraine to boycott OSCE gathering in Vienna, as reports say Russians have also been invited to a nationalist ball
Eighteen Russian MPs are expected to attend a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Vienna on Friday, the first anniversary of Moscow’s invasion ofthe winter session of the OSCE’s parliamentary assembly at the organisation’s headquarters on 23 and 24 February, saying Russia would use the event to “justify its aggression” and “whitewash war crimes”.
Responding to demands from parliamentarians in 20 member states to refuse visas to the Russian MPs – all of whom, as members of the Duma or lower house, are under EU sanctions – Austria’s foreign minister conceded the timing was “unfortunate”. “But at the same time, we must not disregard the fact that we need platforms,” Schallenberg told Austrian TV last week. “The OSCE has never been an organisation of like-minded people. At some point, hopefully, diplomacy will be given space again.”the far-right Freedom party had invited the Russian MPs to its academics’ ball, an annual black-tie event for nationalist politicians and supporters in the Hofburg palace, the permanent seat of the OSCE.
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