Janice R. Andrews
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s anticipated attendance at an OSCE meeting in Malta this December has sparked debate across Europe. The visit, reported by Russian newspaper Vedomosti, would be Lavrov’s first to an EU member state since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The situation presents a diplomatic challenge, as Lavrov faces EU sanctions related to his role in Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized Malta’s obligation as host nation to ensure equal participation for all OSCE members.
Previous attempts by Lavrov to attend OSCE gatherings in EU territory have faced obstacles. Poland blocked his entry to the December 2022 OSCE summit in Łódź. His last EU visit occurred in December 2021, shortly before the Ukraine invasion began. Since then, most EU nations have restricted their airspace to Russian officials, including Lavrov and President Putin.
A precedent exists from the 2022 OSCE meeting in North Macedonia, where Bulgaria briefly allowed Lavrov’s plane through its airspace – a decision that drew criticism from Ukrainian officials. Malta now faces similar scrutiny as it balances OSCE hosting duties with EU sanctions policy.
The potential visit may trigger intense discussions within EU institutions. While Ukraine and its supporters might seek to prevent Lavrov’s attendance, Malta’s OSCE hosting responsibilities could complicate such efforts. The organization, which includes 57 nations across Europe, North America, and Asia, serves as a key forum for international security dialogue.
As preparations continue, the international community watches how the EU and OSCE will navigate this tension between diplomatic obligations and sanctions enforcement during the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
