People's Deputy of Ukraine Mykyta Poturaiev took office as President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) on October 28. He became the first representative of Ukraine to head this international parliamentary structure.
The OSCE PA press service reported this. The appointment was also confirmed by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.
Poturaiev replaced Spanish parliamentarian Pere Joan Pons Sampietro as President of the Assembly. The latter stepped down early after agreeing to take a new position in the Spanish government.
According to the OSCE PA Rules of Procedure, if the President leaves office early, the duties pass to one of the Vice-Presidents taking into account the length of service and the results of previous elections. Poturaiev assumed the post as the Assembly's senior Vice-President.
The Ukrainian deputy will lead the OSCE PA until July 2027. Then, at the organization's annual session in Belgrade, a new President is to be elected for the 2027–2029 term.
Poturaiev named among his priorities assisting in the establishment of a just peace in Ukraine with respect for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, strengthening the OSCE, defending the Helsinki Principles, and promoting shared democratic values.
He also stressed that he intends to ensure continuity in the Assembly's work and to continue cooperation with international parliamentary delegations.
Mykyta Poturaiev has been a People's Deputy of Ukraine from the Servant of the People party since 2019 and heads the parliamentary committee on humanitarian and information policy.
In 2023, he was first elected Vice-President of the OSCE PA at the annual session in Vancouver. In July 2026, he was re-elected to this position in The Hague. In addition, Poturaiev heads the Verkhovna Rada's permanent delegation to the Assembly and is co-chair of the parliamentary group supporting Ukraine.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly brings together parliamentarians from the national parliaments of the organization's participating States. It deals with issues of European security, democratic institutions, human rights, election observation, and inter-parliamentary cooperation.
The President of the Assembly represents it internationally, leads parliamentary events, and participates in setting the priorities of work. At the same time, the position of OSCE PA President is not equivalent to leading the entire Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
