Title: Europe’s Top Diplomat Declines Meeting with Russian Foreign Minister, Lavrov’s Visit to Skopje
Date: [Insert Date]
Europe’s highest-ranking diplomat, Josep Borrell, has chosen not to meet with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, during Lavrov’s visit to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. Although cited as a result of a busy agenda, several speculate that this decision might be seen as a snub due to past negative experiences with Lavrov.
Lavrov’s visit revolves around his participation in a meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in North Macedonia. Despite being subject to European Union (EU) sanctions, Lavrov was granted a special permit from Bulgaria to bypass EU restrictions and reach Skopje. However, it’s important to note that Bulgaria clarified that the permit does not apply to individuals in Lavrov’s delegation who are also subjected to EU sanctions.
The meeting has not been free from controversy. Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have opted to boycott the event in protest, asserting that it will serve as a platform for Russian propaganda. Meanwhile, Borrell, alongside United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is expected to be present at the gathering, but no plans have been made to meet with Lavrov.
On the other hand, Lavrov claimed that certain Western ministers had expressed interest in bilateral talks with him, although he refrained from disclosing specific names. Nevertheless, Western leaders, including Borrell, have reaffirmed their support for Ukraine while dismissing Russia’s increase in defense spending as an indication of a potential long-term conflict.
Additionally, Finland recently closed its border with Russia due to concerns over irregular migrants harassing Finnish border guards. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has voiced his support for Finland’s actions. Meanwhile, Lavrov is anticipated to criticize the Western response towards Israel’s bombing of Gaza, accusing Western leaders of racism and neo-Nazism. However, Stoltenberg dismissed any comparison between the situations in Gaza and Ukraine, categorizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as unprovoked aggression.
As Lavrov’s visit to Skopje unfolds, his absence from a meeting with Borrell, the participation of other Western leaders, and the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to dominate conversations surrounding the event.
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