The Organization for Cooperation between Railways (OSJD) may consider sanctions against Russian Railways at meetings of its governing bodies, the nearest of which is scheduled to be held in April.

Organization for Cooperation between Railways

This was reported to Rail.insider journalists by the OSJD in response to a request “Will your organization impose sanctions on the railway of the aggressor state of Russia and its accomplice Belarus in connection with the attack of the Russian armed forces on Ukraine?”.

“The decision on the activities of the Organization for Cooperation between Railways is made by its members, that is, the ministries managing railway transport in the OSJD member states (currently their number is 29), within the framework of the meetings of the governing bodies – the meetings of the Conference of General Directors and the session of the Council of Ministers. At the initiative of the Member States, various issues of cooperation, including possible sanctions, may be submitted for consideration by these bodies and decision-making in accordance with existing procedures. OSJD is preparing for the meeting of its governing bodies, which this year should be held in April and June. The position of Ukraine on this issue was sent to all OSJD members,” said Kinga Yambor, Head of the Office of the OSJD Committee.

According to the press service of Ukrzaliznytsia, the company called in an official letter to members of the Organization for Cooperation between Railways to stop transportation with Russia and exclude its representatives from participation in international organizations, and deprive them of the right to make any decisions.

Interestingly, the meeting of the OSJD Conference of General Directors is scheduled to be held this year in Ukraine from 11 to 15 April. However, the event can take place online, which was envisaged in connection with the coronavirus pandemic.

The OSJD mainly includes countries that once belonged to the sphere of influence of the Soviet Union, during which the organization was established.

Currently, among them are many countries that are members of the European Union and, according to its directives, they are already imposing sanctions on the transportation of Russian Railways. This, in particular, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, etc., reports Railway Supply magazine.

The sanctions against Russian Railways are related to the fact that this company transports military supplies for the bombing and occupation of the territory of Ukraine as part of the large-scale invasion of the Russian army, which began on February 24, 2022.

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