Kremlin Denies Reports of Lavrov Losing Putin's Favor
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed claims that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had fallen out of favor with President Vladimir Putin, following the canceled summit between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
"I will give you a brief answer: there is nothing true in these reports,"
Peskov told Russian media on November 5, adding that Lavrov continues to perform his duties as foreign minister.
Speculation Amid Diplomatic Tensions
The denial followed a wave of reports suggesting Lavrov’s influence within the Kremlin had diminished after his October 21 phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. That discussion allegedly prompted Rubio to advise the U.S. president to cancel the upcoming Budapest summit.
Lavrov’s absence from a November 5 Security Council meeting chaired by Putin further fueled speculations about his position. Despite being a permanent member, he was not seen at the session, which observers viewed as unusual.
Changes in International Representation
Lavrov also lost his role as head of the Russian delegation at this year’s G20 summit. The position has been handed over to Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of the presidential administration, signaling a possible shift in Kremlin priorities.
Behind the Canceled Summit
Sources told Reuters that the summit’s collapse was largely due to the Kremlin’s hardline negotiating stance, marked by demands for significant concessions and the rejection of a ceasefire in Ukraine. Following the cancellation, Washington imposed its first round of sanctions on Russia under Trump’s renewed presidency, targeting major energy firms Rosneft and Lukoil.
Summary
While the Kremlin firmly denies any rift between Putin and Lavrov, the minister’s recent omissions and diplomatic setbacks have sparked speculation about shifting power dynamics in Moscow’s foreign policy circles.