Kremlin denies Lavrov fell out of favor with Putin after canceled Trump summit

Kremlin rejects rumors of Lavrov losing Putin's trust

The Kremlin dismissed reports suggesting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had fallen out of favor with President Vladimir Putin after a canceled summit with the United States.

"I will give you a brief answer: there is nothing true in these reports," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said during a briefing.

Peskov confirmed that Lavrov continues to serve as the foreign minister and remains active in his duties.

Context around the Budapest summit

The denial followed claims that Lavrov’s influence had weakened after his October 21 conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. That exchange reportedly prompted the cancellation of the planned Budapest meeting between Putin and the U.S. president.

Sources told Reuters that the summit was scrapped due to a rigid Kremlin negotiating stance that included demands for excessive concessions and a refusal to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Signs of shifting influence

Despite his position on Russia’s Security Council, Lavrov did not attend a key meeting chaired by Putin on November 5, drawing speculation about internal shifts in the Kremlin hierarchy.

Furthermore, Lavrov lost his customary role as head of Russia’s delegation at the upcoming G20 summit. That position will instead be held by Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of the presidential administration.

Consequences after the summit collapse

Following the summit’s cancellation, the U.S. imposed its first sanctions on Russia since President Trump's return to office. The new measures targeted energy companies Rosneft and Lukoil.

Author's Summary

The Kremlin denied claims of Lavrov’s declining influence after the canceled U.S. summit, though recent moves hint at evolving power dynamics within Putin’s inner circle.

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The Kyiv Independent The Kyiv Independent — 2025-11-07

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