Kremlin Denies Lavrov Fell Out of Favor with Putin
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed reports suggesting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov lost favor with President Vladimir Putin. Speaking on November 8, Peskov stated,
“I will give you a brief answer: there is nothing true in these reports. Lavrov is working as the foreign minister, of course.”
Context of the Speculation
The rumors emerged after a phone conversation between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 21, which concerned the terms for a planned Budapest summit between Putin and the U.S. Rubio reportedly advised the U.S. president to cancel the meeting.
Signs of Changed Influence
- Lavrov was absent from a significant Kremlin meeting chaired by Putin on November 5, fueling questions about his current standing.
- He also lost his role as head of the Russian delegation at the G20 summit, replaced by Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of Russia's presidential administration.
Reasons Behind Summit Cancellation
Sources told Reuters that the summit was called off due to the Kremlin’s uncompromising negotiating position, demanding excessive concessions and refusing to accept a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Aftermath of the Summit Collapse
The canceled summit was followed by the first U.S. sanctions against Russia since President Trump’s return to office, targeting major oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil.
Author’s Summary
Despite apparent shifts in roles and the canceled summit with the U.S., the Kremlin firmly denies any fall from favor for Lavrov within Putin’s administration.