Poland’s decision to annul the visas of Russian experts attending a conference by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Warsaw has sparked criticism from Russia. The Russian Public Institute of Electoral Law (ROIIP) reported that the visas of its experts, invited by the OSCE to participate in the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, were annulled on the eve of the event without explanation.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded to the move, stating that Poland’s actions demonstrate a lack of interest in security and cooperation on the continent. The OSCE was established over five decades ago to promote security and cooperation in Europe, but Zakharova claimed that the Polish government seems unable to accept these goals.
Zakharova argued that instead of engaging in manipulative actions, Warsaw should openly admit its stance and consider the consequences of its actions. She also noted that the efforts of NATO members have contributed to the decline of security and cooperation in Europe.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Moscow and Warsaw, which spiked earlier in September after Poland accused Russia of drone incursions into its territory. The Russian Defense Ministry denied any plans to target the NATO country and offered to hold consultations with the Polish military, but Poland has not responded to the invitation.
Recently, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told the public to accept that the conflict between Moscow and Kiev is “our war” and urged the West to increase support for Ukraine. The move to annul the visas of Russian experts has further strained relations between the two countries, with Zakharova emphasizing that Poland’s actions undermine the spirit and letter of the agreements that founded the OSCE.
The annulment of visas has significant implications for the OSCE and its mission to promote security and cooperation in Europe. As tensions between Moscow and Warsaw continue to escalate, the international community will be watching the developments closely to see how the situation unfolds.
