The Russian ambassador to Malta has been suspended from having honorary membership at the Casino Maltese, its members have been informed.

The Casino Maltese is a social club created in 1852, with premises in Republic Street, Valletta.

Russia’s ambassador to Malta is Andrei Lopukhov, who presented his credentials to President George Vella late last year.

In an email sent to the ambassador, part of which was copied to the club’s members, the club’s Committee of Management condemned “the harsh and baseless decision taken by your President, Vladimir Putin, to invade Ukraine, declaring war on a sovereign State in blatant breach of international law, killing innocent people and putting millions of citizens at risk of life and hardship. 

“We are determined to uphold the ethos of the Casino Maltese as enshrined in the motto Omnibus Idem (All Equal),” the letter said.

“It is for these reasons, and in spirit of respect for Sovereignty of State, solidarity for Ukraine and its innocent people, and with a firm rejection of the use of force by President Putin on foreign territory, that the Committee of Management is suspending, with immediate effect, your honorary membership and that of your wife Irina Lopukhova, to which you were entitled to as ambassador accredited to Malta, following the  presentation of your credentials to the President George Vella on the 16 December 2021.“