Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet today at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) gathering in Malta, where Ukraine will likely dominate discussions.
The two officials are expected to offer contrasting views on the ongoing war, with tensions running high between the two countries. Alongside Ukraine, the meeting, which includes diplomats from 57 countries across Europe, North America, and Central Asia, will address security and human rights issues. Russia has repeatedly faced criticism from Western nations over its actions in these areas.
As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, his advisers are reportedly exploring proposals that could end the war by granting Russia control over parts of Ukraine. With Trump’s inauguration approaching, Western countries are expected to reaffirm their support for Ukraine, while Russia will likely continue its critique of the OSCE’s stance.
This marks Lavrov’s first visit to the European Union since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In the past, Lavrov has accused the OSCE of becoming an instrument of NATO and the European Union.
Once a key forum for dialogue between East and West during the Cold War, the OSCE has increasingly become paralyzed in recent years, particularly as Russia has used its veto power to block decisions.
This year, the OSCE has also faced delays in approving its budget, mainly due to tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Despite these issues, diplomats have confirmed an agreement to fill four senior OSCE positions, including that of secretary general, which will be taken by Turkey’s Feridun Sinirlioglu.
The OSCE meeting in Malta provides an important opportunity for both sides to present their positions on Ukraine and broader European security concerns.
