Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has informed OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier about the deplorable situation of the Russian-speaking population in the Baltic states and in Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday after their meeting in Moscow.

"The sides discussed topical issues of OSCE’s activities to protect the right of national minorities. Lavrov informed the OSCE High Commissioner about Russia’s priorities in this sphere and drew his attention to the permanently worsening situation of Russian-speaking minorities in the Baltic republics and Ukraine’s Russian-speaking population, including in the light of Kiev’s newest legislative initiatives," the foreign ministry said.

The Russian top diplomat stressed the importance of advocating the rights of national minorities within the OSCE and reiterated Russia’s commitment to constructive and depoliticized dialogue with the OSCE High Commissioner and all member states on that matter, the ministry added.