The Kremlin has formally rejected rumors suggesting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has fallen out of favor with President Vladimir Putin. Speculation arose following the postponement of a planned summit between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, which was initially set to take place in Budapest last month.
Lavrov, a seasoned diplomat with a career spanning over two decades, was notably absent from a significant Kremlin meeting this week, an event he typically attends. Furthermore, Putin selected another official to represent Russia at the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa, a role Lavrov has filled in the past. This absence, combined with the lack of communication from the Foreign Ministry regarding Lavrov’s travel and speaking engagements for two consecutive weeks, has intensified speculation about his standing within the Russian leadership.
On October 20, 2023, Lavrov engaged in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the potential summit, shortly after Trump had proposed the meeting following a discussion with Putin. Just a day later, Trump expressed his reluctance to proceed, stating he did not want a meeting that would be “a waste of time”. He ultimately announced the cancellation, indicating it “just didn’t feel right”.
The backdrop of these developments includes Trump’s ongoing attempts to establish a rapport with Moscow. In August, he held a summit with Putin in Alaska. Nonetheless, Trump has also voiced support for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, calling for both sides to maintain their current positions. The Russian government, conversely, has maintained its demands for Kyiv to concede more territory.
Reports from Reuters and other media outlets indicate that Washington’s decision to call off the summit followed Lavrov’s ministry sending a message that suggested Moscow was not willing to compromise on its stringent demands regarding Ukraine. The Financial Times cited sources implying that Lavrov’s conversation with Rubio had deterred U.S. officials from proceeding with the summit talks. One source remarked, “Lavrov is clearly tired and seems to think he has better things to do than engage with the U.S., whatever Putin may want.”
Amid this unfolding situation, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded to the Financial Times report, suggesting it was intended to amplify unhelpful speculation about Russia’s foreign policy. She characterized such narratives as part of a “hybrid war” against Russia.
Putin has previously articulated his belief that improving relations with the United States is in Russia’s national interest. He has emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two nations, especially considering their substantial nuclear arsenals.
As the situation evolves, the Kremlin’s insistence on Lavrov’s continued role as foreign minister remains clear. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov affirmed, “Lavrov is working as foreign minister, of course,” directly countering claims of a rift between the two prominent figures in Russian governance.
