The World Health Organization will consider the possibility of closing the WHO European Office for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases that’s located in Moscow, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing a document it obtained.
According to three diplomatic and political sources, the proposed resolution, which will be considered on May 10, stopped short of harsher sanctions on Russia, such as suspending it from the WHO board and a freeze of its voting rights. However, the resolution calls for a possible suspension of WHO-related meetings in Russia.
The draft was prepared following a request by Ukraine, signed by at least 38 other WHO members including Turkey, France and Germany.
The resolution doesn’t propose to close the WHO country office, which is also in Moscow.
A spokesperson for WHO Europe confirmed to Reuters that a draft resolution that is yet to be released officially would be discussed on May 10. He said he expected Russia to attend the meeting. Russia didn’t respond to a request for comment by Reuters.
