OSCE caught in tug-of-war between Moscow and West

(ANSA-AFP) - VIENNA, NOV 30 - Ministers of the world's largest regional security body are to meet Thursday in Skopje as the 57-member organisation faces its most serious crisis since its creation as tensions from Russia's invasion of Ukraine remain heightened. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has been struggling to survive as Russia is blocking decisions, such as the organisation's budget.
    Created in 1975 as a forum for dialogue between the Eastern and Western blocs, the organisation -- of which both Russia and Ukraine are part -- has been operating with extra budgetary means, but tensions are running high. Ukraine, as well as Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have already said they would boycott the annual ministerial conference after the invitation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said he plans to attend. Poland joined the boycotters on Wednesday, with Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek saying: "We just cannot ignore the fact that the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs will be present at the table of the organisation that is supposed to build peace and security in Europe". US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will attend the meeting to seek to rally support for Ukraine. (ANSA-AFP).