Germany accuses Russia of trying to stymie 57-nation body's operations

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Thursday called on members of the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to oppose Russia, accusing it of attempting to stymie the 57-nation body's operations.

Cooperation in the OSCE must be further strengthened, "even though Russia has put massive obstacles in the way of the OSCE's work over the last year and a half," said Baerbock at the annual OSCE ministerial conference in the North Macedonian capital of Skopje.

The meeting of the 57 OSCE states, which is scheduled to last until Friday, is attended by around 40 countries.

"The Russian government's perfidious game is and was to destroy organizations that rely on peaceful coexistence and cooperation with the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine," she alleged.

"We won't allow that," she warned.

Like no other organization, the OSCE stands for the security of more than 1.3 billion people, meaning that they want to live together in peace and security and good economic development, Baerbock stressed.

The fact that Russia has not succeeded in destroying the OSCE "is an important contribution to our peace order. And this order of peace must continue," the German minister added.

This also means, she said that they work together to ensure that there is another chairmanship for next year and top positions that can also implement the OSCE's work.

After months of negotiations, Malta agreed on Monday to take over the organization's rotating presidency next year, instead of NATO member Estonia, which Russia openly rejected.

The OSCE has been struggling to survive as Russia has blocked decisions, such as the organization's budget.

Founded in 1975 as a forum for dialogue between the Eastern and Western blocs, the organization -- of which both Russia and neighboring Ukraine are members -- has been operating with extra-budgetary means, but tensions are running high.