Lavrov Sidelined After Failed US Negotiations
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reportedly fallen out of favor following the collapse of a planned summit between President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, as reported by The Moscow Times.
Failed Summit and Kremlin Fallout
Lavrov’s standing with Putin appears to have diminished after an unsuccessful conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which contributed to the breakdown of the planned Putin–Trump summit.
Lavrov's Absence from Key Security Meeting
Russian media noted that Lavrov, who has led the Foreign Ministry for over 20 years, was "absent by agreement" from a crucial meeting of Russia’s Security Council on November 5. This session, attended by permanent members of the Security Council including Lavrov, focused on resuming nuclear tests—something Russia last conducted in 1990.
Lavrov was "absent by agreement" and was the only permanent Security Council member to skip this important meeting.
Change in G20 Delegation Leadership
In addition to his absence from the Security Council meeting, Lavrov has lost his role as head of the Russian delegation to the G20 summit. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Deputy Chief of Staff Maksim Oreshkin will lead the delegation this year.
"The decision to appoint Oreshkin was made by Putin," said Peskov.
Summary
Lavrov's declining influence reflects shifting Kremlin dynamics as Russia reconsidered leadership in major diplomatic engagements amid failed US summit efforts.