Lavrov slams journalist in Skopje and once again suggests OSCE collapse

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, at a press conference in Skopje, has spoken about the "freedom of the press" in Russia and hinted that the functioning of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) now makes no sense.

Source: a European Pravda correspondent from North Macedonia

Details: In one of his answers, Lavrov briefly announced the high probability of the OSCE collapse. While commenting on his recent words that the chances of the OSCE's survival are now meagre, he said that after the meeting in Skopje, the chances of the organisation's disintegration have further worsened.

"The chances have increased, but not for the organisation's survival," he said.

Lavrov once again stated that he is uninterested in the struggle to preserve the OSCE, "The main feeling is indifference. For example, I don't care what happens to this organisation".

Noteworthy, Lavrov started to be rude due to a clarifying question by a journalist from Deutsche Welle, who asked in English whether these words mean that Russia could withdraw from the OSCE.

"I have no idea where you gained your journalist's education," he answered briefly, accusing the journalist of twisting words.

When she countered that this was not true and asked about Russia's plans, Lavrov stated, "I know there is a tradition in Germany to detail everything to journalists, but we [in Russia] leave room for interpretation."

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, commenting on the question from Deutsche Welle, also stated that "there is freedom of speech in Russia, unlike Germany", considering Lavrov's "answer" to a question from the German media as proof of this.

Background:

• On 1 December, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov did not rule out that Russia would block the OSCE personnel decisions, which, in turn, could block the organisation's work.

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