According to propagandist sources, today they discussed the possibility of resuming nuclear testing, supposedly “in response to US activity,” referring to President Donald Trump’s order to the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing. Although Trump then explained his decision by the activity of other countries, mentioning Russia and China.
Kommersant's sources stated that Lavrov was “absent by agreement,” although The Moscow Times called the meeting “landmark.”
In addition, Lavrov no longer heads the Russian delegation to the G20, the summit of which will be held in Johannesburg from November 20 to 24. This year, Putin entrusted the leadership of the group to the deputy head of his administration, Maxim Oreshkin, RBC propagandists wrote.
Given the events mentioned, The Moscow Times suggested that the “old-timer of Russian diplomacy” Lavrov “fell out of favor in the Kremlin” after an unsuccessful conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Other media also wrote about this.
Context
Trump announced on October 16 that he intends to meet with Putin in Hungary. Before this meeting, he said, negotiations were planned at the level of foreign ministers.
On October 20, Rubio and Lavrov had a telephone conversation. The parties discussed steps to end the war that Russia unleashed in Ukraine. The Kremlin described the conversation as a “constructive discussion” during which “possible concrete steps regarding the implementation of the agreements” were discussed.
Reuters, citing sources, wrote that the meeting of Russian and American diplomats will take place on October 23. However, on October 21, CNN, citing sources, reported that the meeting of diplomats may not take place as planned because “there are different expectations.” Lavrov's deputy, Sergei Ryabkov, said that “one cannot postpone what has not been agreed upon.”
According to Bloomberg, Rubio canceled their planned personal meeting after talking with Lavrov, realizing that the Kremlin was again trying to delay negotiations on a ceasefire in Ukraine and continue the war. Trump's decision cancel meeting with Putin became the result of Rubio’s assessment, which concluded that Moscow has not changed its position, the agency noted.
On October 22, the United States for the first time in Trump's second presidential term imposed sanctions against the Russian Federation.
