Relationship dossier

Malta Russia

Relationship assessment

Malta’s implementation of EU sanctions and Russia’s retaliatory designation have strained bilateral ties.

Malta toward Russia

-35

Malta has implemented EU sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, including restrictions on Russian flights.

Russia toward Malta

-35

Russia placed Malta on its list of “unfriendly” states in 2022, in response to countries taking measures against Russia.

Overall relationship

-30

The relationship is shaped by Malta’s implementation of EU sanctions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Russia’s designation of Malta as an unfriendly state. These measures create significant bilateral friction; the wider scope and durability of cooperation are unclear.

How to read these scores

Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.

−100: Extreme sustained hostility
−50: Substantially adversarial
0: Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
+50: Substantially cooperative
+100: Exceptionally close sustained partnership

“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.

Relationship context

Knowledge coverageLimited

Overview

Malta has implemented European Union sanctions against Russia following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including restrictions on Russian flights. Russia placed Malta on its list of “unfriendly” states in 2022. These actions mark a substantially strained relationship, although the scope of other bilateral cooperation is unclear.

Areas of tension

Malta’s implementation of EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine
Russia’s designation of Malta as an “unfriendly” state

Key developments

Russia placed Malta on its list of “unfriendly” states.
Malta implemented EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, including restrictions on Russian flights.

Major uncertainties

The scope of bilateral agreements and cooperation outside the sanctions context is unclear.
The effects of sanctions and related restrictions on other areas of bilateral ties are uncertain.

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