Sybiha may meet Lavrov, but not for negotiations: what’s known

During the upcoming OSCE Ministerial Council meeting, scheduled for December 4-5 in Malta, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha may encounter his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service confirmed Sybiha’s working visit to Malta.

“On December 4-5, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha will visit the Republic of Malta to participate in the 31st annual OSCE Ministerial Council meeting. The minister will deliver a speech during the OSCE plenary session and hold several bilateral meetings with representatives of Ukraine's partner countries,” the statement reads.

The ministry clarifies that the main topics of Sybiha’s speech and meetings will be Russia’s war against Ukraine, its consequences for Europe and the world, and the achievement of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.

Meanwhile, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that Lavrov might also attend, marking his first visit to the EU since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Despite existing EU sanctions and travel bans, Lavrov's entry might be temporarily permitted. However, Malta has limited national delegations to six people, likely to avoid situations like Lavrov’s visit to North Macedonia last year, where he was accompanied by a 90-person entourage. Lavrov has been invited to a lunch, but will not be allowed to attend a thematic dinner, focused on Russia’s aggression.

No official sources or media outlets have confirmed a personal meeting between Sybiha and Lavrov on the sidelines of the OSCE meeting. It also remains unclear whether the Ukrainian delegation will remain in the session hall during Lavrov’s expected speech.

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