Bulgaria permits Lavrov to fly through its airspace

Bulgaria has granted permission to Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to fly through its airspace en route to North Macedonia, facilitating Lavrov's first meeting in a NATO country since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.  

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Photo: PAP/EPA

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is planning to attend a OSCE conference in North Macedonia this week. 

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which includes Russia as a member, was  set up in the Cold War to facilitate peaceful international relations. 

North Macedonia invited Lavrov to attend, however, the journey requires Lavrov to fly through Greek or Bulgarian airspace - both NATO members. 

Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry finally gave its permission for the flight to pass through Bulgarian airspace.

Ukraine and the Baltic Republics have already announced their boycott of the conference due to Lavrov's attendance:

Ukraine and the Baltic States have announced a boycott of the OSCE meeting - Lavrov will be present there. Before that, Bulgaria stated that it would temporarily open the airspace for the plane with Lavrov on board.

"The Ukrainian delegation will not participate in the meeting… pic.twitter.com/U3nVplItwr

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 28, 2023

Sources: PAP, euronews.com, X

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