Sergey Lavrov’s recent speech at the OSCE conference in Malta has sparked widespread criticism, particularly from Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who condemned his statements on Ukraine as falsehoods. Lavrov accused Western nations of escalating tensions and claimed they control the OSCE. Notably, several foreign ministers, including Poland’s, walked out in protest. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described Lavrov’s claims as disinformation. The OSCE faces ongoing challenges amid the conflict, with key positions unfilled and member states divided.
Criticism Surrounds Lavrov’s OSCE Speech in Malta
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov recently delivered a controversial speech at the OSCE conference in Malta, which has ignited a firestorm of criticism from various foreign ministers. Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s Foreign Minister, did not hold back, labeling Lavrov’s remarks as “intolerable lies” regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Addressing Lavrov directly, Baerbock stated, “You can fool yourself, but you cannot fool us, the 1.3 billion people in the OSCE region.”
Responses from Global Leaders
During his address, Lavrov accused Western nations of fueling tensions that have led to a new Cold War, warning that this situation could escalate into a “hot phase.” He further claimed that Western countries were responsible for exacerbating the war in Ukraine and had gained control over the OSCE.
In a dramatic gesture, Poland’s Foreign Minister walked out during Lavrov’s speech, having previously expressed his unwillingness to share the same platform with the Russian diplomat. Reports indicate that representatives from the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and the Baltic states also chose to leave the room in solidarity.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken characterized the situation as a “disinformation tsunami,” pointing to troubling developments such as the deployment of North Korean soldiers alongside Russian forces and changes in Russia’s nuclear strategy. Blinken criticized Lavrov for not remaining in the room to hear the backlash against his claims.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha also attended the two-day conference, referring to Lavrov as “the war criminal at this table.” Sybiha asserted, “Our peace plan is: Russia must leave Ukraine and leave us in peace,” emphasizing that there would be no compromises regarding Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Lavrov is expected to continue his diplomatic efforts in New York, where he will chair a council meeting. However, his attendance at the OSCE has been met with resistance from several member states, some of which chose to boycott the meeting in protest. Notably, the Baltic states ensured that Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, was denied a visa prior to the conference.
This marks Lavrov’s first visit to the EU since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and his last visit to an EU country occurred at the end of 2021 for another OSCE meeting. During the OSCE’s previous gathering in Lodz, Poland, Lavrov was denied entry, despite EU sanctions not imposing a travel ban.
The participation of Lavrov at the OSCE Ministerial Council has sparked significant debate. The OSCE is one of the few platforms where Western representatives and Russian officials can engage in dialogue regarding security and democratic policies. Despite the ongoing conflict, Russia remains a member of the OSCE, leveraging the organization to promote its narratives surrounding the war.
However, the OSCE has faced a severe crisis since the onset of the war, with Russia vetoing key decisions and other member states accusing Moscow of obstructing its operations. The organization’s budget has been managed provisionally for three years, and the four top positions, including the Secretary-General role, have been vacant since September, leaving member states struggling to agree on a successor following Helga Schmidt’s tenure.
This unfolding situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by the OSCE in maintaining dialogue amidst rising geopolitical tensions.