Overview
- Sergei Lavrov was the only permanent member missing from last week’s Russian Security Council meeting that outlined responses to potential U.S. nuclear tests.
- Dmitry Peskov dismissed speculation of a rift as “absolute lies” and said the foreign minister continues in his post.
- Reports say Lavrov will not lead Russia’s delegation to the G20 summit in Johannesburg, with Maxim Oreshkin expected to represent the Kremlin instead.
- Unconfirmed accounts link a hardline call between Lavrov and his U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio to the canceled Budapest meeting between Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump, though former officials say the ministry typically follows the Kremlin line.
- Lavrov has held the job for more than two decades, and analysts note that his role is closely aligned with Putin’s policies even as social-media rumors persist following recent inner-circle changes.