Malta: The 31st Ministerial Council Meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) commenced in Malta with a strong emphasis on urging Russia to withdraw from Ukraine. Malta's Foreign Minister, Ian Borg, made a poignant appeal during the opening ceremony, demanding Moscow retract its troops from internationally recognized Ukrainian territories and bring an end to the war. According to Anadolu Agency, Borg highlighted the urgency of ceasing recent escalations and attacks, advocating for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace through diplomatic means. He also called for the unconditional release of three OSCE staff members-Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov-detained since April 2022. Borg further addressed the challenges faced by the OSCE, pointing out the absence of senior leadership since September, unresolved budgetary issues since 2021, and the broader security threats in the region. OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kuma reiterated that the war could only conclude if Russia adhered to the Helsinki Final Act and withdrew from Ukraine. The summit marked the arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, signifying his first visit to the EU since the onset of the war in Ukraine. Despite EU sanctions, including an asset freeze on Lavrov, he faces no travel ban, enabling his presence at the OSCE meeting. According to the Polish state-run PAP news agency, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski protested Lavrov's presence by leaving the meeting during Lavrov's speech. Sikorski expressed his refusal to listen to what he called "Lavrov's lies," as reported by PAP. Delegations from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic also walked out during Lavrov's presentation. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and others remained in the hall, the news agency noted.