Sergei Lavrov visits Malta for talks amid Ukraine conflict

In a notable development, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attended the annual meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Malta, marking his first visit to an EU member state since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This visit highlights Lavrov's rare engagement in forums involving senior Western officials, as previous appearances have been limited due to ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, particularly in the context of the Ukraine war. The meeting took place against the backdrop of heightened global security concerns, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also present, indicating that the agenda was heavily focused on the implications of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. Malta's Foreign Minister Ian Borg emphasized during the session that Russia's actions in Ukraine pose a significant and systematic threat to European security, underpinning the seriousness of the ongoing conflict. Lavrov's participation is particularly significant as it reflects a partial shift in Russia's diplomatic engagement with the West, despite ongoing sanctions and travel restrictions. Notably, Lavrov's spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, was unable to accompany him due to Malta denying her a visa linked to a travel ban against her. This underscores the complicated and often adversarial diplomatic landscape currently faced by Russia in Europe. Furthermore, it was revealed that Russia has been criticized for detaining journalists, with Reporters Without Borders urging the OSCE to call for the release of 38 journalists, including 19 Ukrainians, currently detained in Russian-occupied territories. Overall, Lavrov's visit to Malta signifies both a diplomatic maneuver amidst a charged political climate and the continued scrutiny of Russia's actions on an international scale.