Czech Diplomat Reads Book on Putin’s Trial During Lavrov’s OSCE Speech

During Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s address at the OSCE  meeting in Malta on December 5, Czech Foreign Ministry spokesperson Daniel Drake was seen reading a book about a potential trial for Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

Drake shared a photo on his account on X, showing himself holding “The Trial of Vladimir Putin” by lawyer Geoffrey Robertson. The book explores the legal mechanisms and challenges of holding Putin accountable for his actions in the war.

Several countries, including the Czech Republic, staged a diplomatic protest during Lavrov’s speech at the OSCE meeting. Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, walked out of the OSCE plenary hall before Lavrov’s speech began.

Lavrov’s attendance marked his first appearance in an EU country since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The European Commission clarified that sanctions imposed on Lavrov include asset freezes and a prohibition on EU residents providing him with any economic resources and do not include a travel ban.