Kremlin Denies Rift Between Putin and Lavrov Over Trump Meeting Cancellation
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed media reports suggesting a fallout between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov regarding the cancellation of a proposed meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hungary.
Cancellation of the Trump-Putin Summit
The planned Trump-Putin summit was canceled following a preparatory phone call between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The call made it clear that little progress toward peace in Ukraine would be achieved, and a ceasefire—demanded by the White House—was deemed unlikely.
Context of Diplomatic Efforts
- Trump, who has been pursuing peace in Ukraine, previously met Putin in August in Alaska.
- Despite diplomatic efforts, Russia has both continued and escalated its attacks on Ukraine, causing frustration for Trump.
- The U.S. president aims to end the war using a combination of economic sanctions, secondary tariffs, and diplomatic engagement with Moscow.
- The Budapest meeting was viewed as a potentially crucial opportunity for diplomatic progress.
Kremlin's Official Statement
"There is nothing true in these reports," Peskov said in Russian, as reported by TASS. "Of course, Lavrov continues to serve as foreign minister."
Lavrov's Absence from Security Council Meeting
Lavrov was notably absent from an in-person Security Council meeting this week, where Putin requested a report on preparations for nuclear tests if the U.S. escalates tensions. According to an unnamed source cited by Russian newspaper Kommersant, Lavrov agreed to not attend despite being a permanent council member.
Author's summary: The Kremlin firmly denies a dispute between Putin and Lavrov amid the canceled Trump meeting, emphasizing ongoing diplomatic efforts despite Ukraine war tensions.