Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov was invited to attend the OSCE ministerial meeting, but the process was bumpy: five foreign ministers boycotted him and refused to attend the OSCE ministerial meeting; Foreign ministers from the United States and the European Union shunned Mr. Lavrov. This may be a true reflection of Russia's external situation, despite the president's recent declaration that Russia has returned to being a "world superpower".

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which refused to invite Russia to its 2022 meeting after Russia launched an all-out war against Ukraine, this year unexpectedly invited Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to attend the 2023 OSCE Ministerial Meeting in Skopje, North Macedonia, from November 30 to December 1. The Russians, overjoyed, readily agreed and dressed up.

Surprisingly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's attendance at this year's OSCE ministerial meeting was boycotted by five countries. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kureba was the first to announce a boycott, refusing to attend this year's OSCE ministerial meeting, the boycott is at the level of foreign ministers, and the Ukrainian delegation will attend at the level of ambassadors.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikolenko said in a statement: "Russia has consistently undermined the OSCE and abused the rule of consensus. "Russia has systematically blocked consensus on key issues through blackmail and overt threats."

"In this context, the presence of a Russian delegation at a ministerial meeting for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine only aggravates the crisis into which Russia has pushed the OSCE," Nikolorenko noted.

Subsequently, Latvian Foreign Minister Kalins, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Landsberges and Estonian Foreign Minister Chakun issued a joint statement against Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov.

In a joint statement, the Baltic foreign ministers said: "Russia's war of aggression and atrocities against its sovereign and peaceful neighbour Ukraine constitute a grave violation of international law, including the UN Charter, and are an attack on the OSCE and its founding principles." The OSCE was created to build security, prevent conflict and maintain peace in Europe, and Russia has proven time and again through its illegal and barbaric actions that it is no security partner for Europe."

The Baltic ministers stressed: "Lavrov's presence [referring to his presence at the OSCE ministerial meeting] legitimises Russia as a legitimate member of the community of free states, downplays the brutal crimes committed by Russia and condices Russia's flagrant violation of and disrespect for the founding principles and commitments of the OSCE."

The Baltic foreign ministers also took aim at Lavrov, saying in a joint statement: "Lavrov's place is in a special court, not at the OSCE table."