Russia withdraws from the Council of the Baltic Sea States
Moscow, May 17, LETA – AFP. Russia on Tuesday announced its withdrawal from the Council of the Baltic Sea States.
The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is an intergovernmental organization that has so far represented 11 countries: Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Finland, Germany and Sweden, as well as the European Commission.
Russia’s foreign ministry said the organization was becoming an “instrument of anti-Russian policy” and “increasingly engrossed in Russophobia and lies.”
“We consider our country’s future membership in the CBSS to be useless and counterproductive,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Moscow said the CBSS was planning a meeting in Norway on May 25 without Russia’s presence, and accused the organization of “stealing” money that Russia had paid into its budget.
At the same time, Moscow stressed that, despite leaving the organization, it will maintain a presence in the Baltic region.
“Attempts to oust our country from the Baltics are doomed to failure,” the ministry said.
–
–
