Controversial EU Summit: Lavrov's First Visit Sparks Tensions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's presence at the summit in Malta has evoked strong reactions, particularly from Ukrainian officials and Western diplomats critical of Russia's actions since its invasion of Ukraine.

In a notable diplomatic event, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attended a security summit in Malta, his first visit to an EU country since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced in 2022. The summit, organized by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), has been marked by controversy, as Lavrov's counterpart from Ukraine, Andriy Sybiga, notably walked out during Lavrov's presentation, labeling him a "war criminal."

Lavrov's participation was met with displeasure, notably by Poland’s foreign minister, who declined to engage with him. This tension was underscored further by the remarks of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who accused Russia of exacerbating the situation in Ukraine. "This is about Mr. Putin's imperial project to erase Ukraine from the map," Blinken asserted, denying Russia’s claims of seeking security.

The OSCE meeting has seen several diplomats exit the venue ahead of Lavrov's statements, signaling deep discontent with his role in the organization. Previous calls for Russia's expulsion from the OSCE underscore the ongoing friction between Moscow and Western nations, especially given the organization's original aim of promoting cooperation and crisis management in Europe.

Lavrov’s participation comes amid growing Russian grievances towards the OSCE, which Moscow claims is becoming biased towards NATO and EU interests. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, criticized the OSCE's current “institutional crisis,” positioning it as a platform being manipulated by Western states.

A further complication arose when Malta revoked Zakharova's travel visa prior to the summit, citing objections from three OSCE member countries, which reflects the broader tensions surrounding Lavrov’s participation and the ongoing ramifications of the conflict in Ukraine.