Kremlin Denies Rift Between Putin and Lavrov
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed media claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin had a disagreement with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov over the cancellation of a planned meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hungary.
Cancellation of Trump-Putin Summit
The summit was called off following a preparatory call between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which revealed little chance of progress toward peace in Ukraine and ruled out a ceasefire demanded by the White House.
Context of the Meeting
- Trump, aiming to mediate peace in Ukraine, previously met Putin in August in Alaska.
- Despite diplomatic efforts, Russia has intensified its military actions in Ukraine, causing frustration for Trump.
- The Budapest meeting was viewed as a potentially crucial step for diplomatic engagement and enforcement of economic sanctions.
Official Statements on Lavrov's Role
“There is nothing true in these reports,” Peskov said. “Of course, Lavrov continues to serve as foreign minister.”
Lavrov was notably absent from a recent Security Council meeting where Putin discussed preparations for nuclear tests.
An unnamed source told Kommersant that Lavrov agreed to miss the meeting despite being a permanent member.
Summary
The Kremlin firmly denies any conflict between Putin and Lavrov about the canceled Trump meeting, emphasizing ongoing diplomatic efforts despite challenges in Ukraine peace talks.