Several EU countries want to resume dialogue with Russia in OSCE — Russian envoy

Russia Says No Plans to Leave OSCE, Cites Platform Value Despite Tensions

Moscow is not considering withdrawing from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Russia's Permanent Representative to the body, Dmitry Polyansky, said in remarks reported by the Russian state news agency TASS. Polyansky described the OSCE as one of the few international platforms where Russia's position is still recorded and conveyed to other capitals, even as he acknowledged the organization has become a difficult environment for Russian diplomats.

Speaking to the Izvestia newspaper in late May, Polyansky said, "The issue of the withdrawal is not being considered at this point. At least, I have no instructions to this effect." He added that while the OSCE is "certainly not an organization where we feel comfortable and at ease," it remains valuable because "our position is recorded and conveyed to the capitals. We currently have no other such format where we can speak with NATO members and Europeans."

In a separate statement to reporters in early June, Polyansky elaborated on the dynamics within the OSCE, claiming that some European countries recognize the need to resume dialogue with Russia but are unable to act independently due to pressure from the European Union and NATO. "I can say that there are several European countries, who understand the need to resume dialogue with Russia," he said, according to TASS. "I would not name any of them, because if I do, it will be used against them."

Polyansky attributed this situation to a "bloc approach" that he said limits the sovereignty of EU member states. "European Union bureaucrats are looking after their lines, so that nobody tries to step out, and everybody follows the lead," he said. He argued that European countries "voluntarily gave up decisions on many foreign policy issues to the European commission," describing this as "a deliberate self-imposed restriction of sovereignty." He added that "not that someone is forcing them to remain silent," but rather that a decision was made to transfer powers to the supranational level, and now the EU "is keeping a watchful eye to ensure that there is no major difference in the members' positions on key issues, such as Russia."

Polyansky also dismissed the idea that the OSCE is merely a forum for anti-Russian sentiment, noting that at a May 27 meeting, member states "are all singing one and the same anti-Russian song." Nevertheless, he stressed that Moscow still sees value in the organization as a channel for communication, particularly with Western countries.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Russia and Western nations over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. The OSCE, which includes Russia, the United States, Canada, and European countries, has been a key forum for security dialogue but has faced criticism from Russia, which has accused Western members of using the organization to isolate Moscow.

The Russian envoy's comments reflect a nuanced stance: while Moscow is unhappy with the current atmosphere inside the OSCE, it appears reluctant to abandon a platform that offers direct contact with Western governments. Polyansky's statements also highlight Russia's broader criticism of EU decision-making, which he claims is dominated by a collective approach that leaves little room for individual member states to pursue independent foreign policies.

No immediate response from Western governments or the OSCE secretariat was reported by TASS. The statements are consistent with Russia's broader messaging that it remains open to dialogue, while simultaneously blaming Western institutions for the lack of progress in reducing tensions.