The Russian ambassador pointed out that Maltese residents have no desire for NATO membership.

Malta has not yet sought to join NATO, and most of the population supports the country's neutral status. This was stated on July 19 in an interview with RIA Novosti by the Russian Ambassador to the island state, Andrei Lopukhov.

"Malta is constitutionally a neutral state, and this status has traditionally been supported by the absolute majority of the population," Lopukhov said.

According to him, at the moment, Valletta does not seek membership in the North Atlantic Alliance. The diplomat stressed that the efforts of propagandists who claim the "Russian threat" are also being felt in Malta.

"But there is every reason to hope that Maltese society will remain sober—minded and will not allow itself to be drawn into military blocs or confrontational scenarios," Lopukhov said.

The development environment: Dissatisfaction with anti-Russian policy is growing in the EU

The foreign ministers did not agree on the 18th package of sanctions

On July 14, political analyst Ivan Mezyuho reported that pressure from the European Commission (EC) and the leading countries of the European Union (EU) could force Malta to reconsider its position on the adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. In addition, Mezyuho drew attention to the fact that the country is vulnerable to pressure from the leading EU economies.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.