Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traveled to Malta for the annual Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meeting, making it his first visit to a European Union country since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

The gathering, which placed the war in Ukraine high on the agenda, also included U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. Addressing the session, Malta’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg emphasized that Russia’s actions continue to pose a significant threat to European security.

Lavrov’s participation in high-profile forums with senior Western officials has been rare since the war began, though he recently attended the United Nations General Assembly and the G20 summit in Brazil. His presence in Malta, however, was overshadowed by a visa controversy. Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, claimed that Malta had revoked her visa, preventing her from accompanying Lavrov. Malta’s foreign affairs office later clarified that three OSCE member states had opposed granting her entry, as she remains subject to travel restrictions. While Lavrov is under EU sanctions, he does not face a travel ban.

The Russian diplomat previously attended the OSCE meeting in Skopje, North Macedonia, but was denied a visa by Poland the year before due to Russia’s invasion.

Blinken arrived in Malta following a NATO meeting in Brussels, likely his last as part of the Biden administration. Ukraine’s foreign minister was also in attendance after Kyiv boycotted last year’s OSCE gathering due to Lavrov’s participation.

Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders urged the OSCE to demand the release of 38 journalists imprisoned by Russia, including 19 Ukrainians detained in Russian-occupied territories. The organization noted that Russia ranks as the world’s fifth-largest jailer of journalists.