The absence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov from public view has sparked discussions.
According to Modern.az, Lavrov's disappearance is linked to his health.
Indeed, Lavrov's absence from last week's meeting of the Russian Security Council has raised questions in Moscow.
Russia's “Kommersant” publication drew attention to the issue, writing that he remained outside the meeting “by agreement.” Furthermore, on November 4, Putin announced by decree that the Russian delegation to the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, would be led not by Lavrov, but by Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration.
These two events have strengthened various speculations regarding Lavrov's "disappearance."
Some experts interpret this as a sign of possible political changes within the Kremlin or a reduction in Lavrov's influence on Putin. Such theories have increased, especially after the cancellation of the planned meeting with US President Donald Trump in Budapest. Lavrov was precisely conducting the negotiations for the organization of that meeting, but after a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the summit was postponed.
In response to all these claims, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov made a statement. He stated that Lavrov is in his position and actively continues his work:
“Sergey Viktorovich is at work, and he is working very actively. All this information is completely false, and it is not worth paying attention to. Everything is in order. When there are appropriate public events, you will see the minister,” – Peskov emphasized.
The Kremlin spokesman added that the head of Russian diplomacy is fulfilling his official duties and continuing his planned activities in the direction of international relations.
Lavrov has been considered the face of Russian diplomacy for over 20 years. He previously served as ambassador to the UN, and since 2004, he has held the position of Foreign Minister. The 75-year-old diplomat has been Putin's main diplomatic pillar during the most strained periods of relations with the West.
