Lavrov’s trip to Malta would be his first to an EU country since Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022.

Following the invasion, Lavrov was subjected to sanctions by the EU, the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia and Japan. However, as foreign minister, he retains the ability to enter the European Union.

Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Władysław Teofil Bartoszewski said earlier this week that inviting Lavrov to a meeting of foreign ministers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on December 5–6 was a mistake.

He added at the time that various scenarios were being considered regarding the response of Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski to Lavrov’s presence.

Bartoszewski said Lavrov attending the OSCE summit would be “inappropriate.”

A Polish government source and Veronika Stromšíková, Chief Director of the Czech Foreign Ministry's Security and Multilateral Section, confirmed to TVP World that delegates from the two countries planned to walk out.

As well as Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to attend the OSCE meeting.

Over the past two years, Russia’s war against Ukraine has cast a shadow on the annual gathering, with statements becoming increasingly confrontational, reflecting tensions between Russia and the West.

However, the OSCE remains one of the few places where ministers from countries in Europe, North America, Central Asia and Russia can still meet, according to the Security and Human Rights Monitor.