Ukraine, Russian diplomats trade barbs at Malta summit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrives at the venue for the 31st Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Malta, 05 Dec. 2024.

Ukraine's foreign minister called Russia's top diplomat Sergei Lavrov a "war criminal" Thursday as they both attended an international summit in Malta, the latter's first visit to an EU member since the 2022 invasion.

Ukraine's Andriy Sybiga also accused Moscow of being "the biggest threat to our common security" as the two foreign ministers sat on the same huge table at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

"Russia is not a partner; it is the biggest threat to our common security. Russia's participation in the OSCE is a threat to cooperation in Europe," Sybiga told ministers from the 57-member body.

"When Russians say they want peace they lie," he said, adding: "Ukraine continues to fight for its right to exist.

"And the Russian war criminal at this table must know: Ukraine will win this right and justice will prevail."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was also in Ta'Qali, near Valetta, for the talks, though officials said he had no plans to meet Lavrov.

 Blinken accused Lavrov of spreading a "tsunami of misinformation" and blamed Moscow for escalating the war in Ukraine.

"Now I regret that our colleague, Mr. Lavrov, has left the room, not giving me the courtesy to listen to us as we listen to him. And of course, our Russian colleague is very adept in drowning listeners with a tsunami of misinformation," Blinken said.

"But let's not fool ourselves and let's not allow him or anyone else to fool us. This is not about and has never been about Russia's security. This is about Mr....