Kremlin Denies Lavrov Fell Out of Favor After Trump Summit Cancellation
Speculation that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov lost favor with President Vladimir Putin is unfounded, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated in early November. During a briefing with Russian media, Peskov said,
“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 Reports
The denial comes amid reports suggesting Lavrov's influence declined following a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This conversation allegedly led to the cancellation of the planned Budapest summit between Putin and the U.S. President.
Questions Raised by Lavrov’s Absence
- Lavrov was notably absent from a key meeting chaired by Putin on November 5, despite being a permanent member of the Russian Security Council.
- He also lost his role as head of the Russian delegation at the G20 summit, which will instead be led by Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of Russia's presidential administration.
Details on the Summit Cancellation
Lavrov spoke with Rubio on October 21 to negotiate terms for the Budapest summit. Following that, Rubio reportedly advised the U.S. President to cancel the meeting. Sources told Reuters the cancellation was due to the Kremlin’s inflexible demands, including excessive concessions and a refusal to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Subsequent Developments
After the summit's collapse, the U.S. imposed the first sanctions on Russia since the President's return to office, targeting major oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil.
Summary: Despite rumors, the Kremlin confirms Sergey Lavrov remains in President Putin's favor amid diplomatic tensions and summit cancellation with the U.S.