Lavrov Sidelined in Moscow?
Sergey Lavrov’s absence from the recent Security Council meeting and his removal as head of Russia’s delegations to the G20 and ASEAN summits signal a clear shift in Kremlin power. Once the main architect of Moscow’s foreign policy, Lavrov now seems marginalized as President Vladimir Putin tightens control over diplomatic decisions.
Unprecedented Absence
For the first time in decades, Lavrov did not attend a Security Council session chaired by Putin. This absence was officially described as "coordinated," but the simultaneous reassignment of his duties to Maxim Oreshkin and Alexey Overchuk—both technocrats from the presidential administration—suggests a deliberate move beyond routine rotation.
Reduced Foreign Ministry Influence
The Kremlin appears to be centralizing international representation, diminishing the foreign ministry's independence in crafting foreign narratives. Lavrov’s sidelining coincides with the cancellation of a planned Putin-Trump meeting in Budapest.
Reports indicate that a tense exchange between Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with a Russian memorandum on Ukraine seen in Washington as "maximalist," caused frustration within the Kremlin.
Some insiders accuse Lavrov of mishandling this episode or even undermining Putin’s diplomatic agenda. In Moscow's power structure, mistakes are seldom forgiven.
Lavrov’s Declining Influence
Once viewed as an unshakable figure, Lavrov now faces isolation comparable to that of former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu before his fall from favor.
“Mistakes are rarely forgiven in Moscow’s power vertical.”
Author’s summary: Sergey Lavrov’s removal from key diplomatic roles reveals a consolidation of power by Putin, weakening the foreign ministry’s independence amid Kremlin frustrations over recent diplomatic setbacks.