During a Russian speech at a parliamentary meeting of the European security body in Vienna, many delegates left the room.
It occurs at the same time that the UN is anticipated to pass a resolution denouncing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was established on Thursday, one day before the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
But people are upset because it was decided to grant the Russian delegation visas.
Because Austria invited Moscow officials to the meeting despite some of them being subject to EU sanctions, Ukraine and Lithuania completely abstained from it.
The OSCE has its headquarters in Austria, so according to the Austrian government, it was required to comply under international law.
Russian participation, according to Latvian MP Rihards Kols, is the "elephant in the room," and their participation is a "disgrace.".
Then, during the Russian address, a sizable contingent of delegates staged a walkout.
Vladimir Dzhabarov, a Russian delegate, mocked the absentees and repeated untrue claims that Moscow's invasion of Ukraine is an effort to oust nationalists and Nazis who it claims are in charge of the Kyiv government.
The goal of the OSCE's 1975 founding was to foster better ties between the Western and Eastern Blocs. NATO members and Russian allies are among its current members.
The protest happened before the UN General Assembly voted on a resolution denouncing the invasion of Ukraine and urging for an early conclusion of hostilities. The vote is scheduled to take place on Thursday night in New York.
Even though the measure is not legally binding, it has political influence.
The vote "would keep pressure on Russia to end the war," according to UK ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward.
However, some nations claim the text inflames tension and promotes a Cold War mindset, including Belarus, China, and Iran.
On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said to the UN General Assembly: "It is high time to step back from the brink. ".
"Waging war is not the answer. The problem is war. In Ukraine, there is a great deal of suffering. The need for peace extends far beyond Russians and Ukrainians, he said.
On February 24, 2022, President Vladimir Putin launched the largest invasion of Europe since the end of World War Two by sending up to 200,000 soldiers into Ukraine.
According to a UN estimate, the devastating war that followed has killed at least 7,199 civilians and injured thousands more; the actual toll is likely much higher.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, paid tribute to everyone who has passed away since the start of the conflict.
Zelensky promised in a Telegram post to hold Moscow accountable for "all the terror, all the killings, all the torture."
