Russia responded to OSCE’s plans to prepare Ukraine for EU and NATO membership

Today, any attempts to discuss Ukraine’s accession to the European Union and NATO are merely a continuation of fueling the conflict.

This was stated by Alexei Chepa, the first deputy chairman of the State Duma’s Committee on International Affairs.

He made this comment in response to plans by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to prepare Kyiv for joining these organizations.

It was recently revealed that a new position has been created within the OSCE – Special Representative for Ukraine. Czech politician Petr Mares was appointed to this role and stated that his mission would be to prepare Kyiv for membership in the EU and NATO.

“We are categorically opposed [to the appearance of such a figure in the OSCE] and understand that this is, among other things, an attempt to continue pulling Ukraine into the conflict with promises that ‘everything will be fine, we will accept you into NATO and the EU, and your life will be wonderful and amazing, just fight Russia a little more.’ Even attempts to discuss this issue today are essentially a continuation of fueling the conflict, and a violation of all norms. The primary function of the OSCE is not politicalization, but right now, this structure is being completely politicized. We strongly oppose this,” said the deputy.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that the words of OSCE Special Representative for Ukraine Petr Mares about working on Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the EU only deepen the division in Europe.