Kremlin Responds to Claims of Putin–Lavrov Dispute Over Trump
The Kremlin has dismissed reports suggesting a rift between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. According to spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, media claims about disagreements following the cancellation of a proposed meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Hungary are untrue.
The planned Trump–Putin summit was dropped after a preparatory call between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated limited prospects for progress toward peace in Ukraine. The discussion also made clear that a ceasefire, requested by the White House, was not on the table.
President Trump, who met Putin in Alaska in August, continues efforts to end the war in Ukraine using a combination of economic sanctions, secondary tariffs, and diplomatic outreach. The Budapest meeting had been viewed as a key opportunity in these peace efforts.
“There is nothing true in these reports,” Peskov said, as quoted by the state news agency TASS. “Of course, Lavrov continues to serve as foreign minister.”
Lavrov did not attend a recent in-person meeting of Russia’s Security Council permanent members, during which Putin requested a report on preparations for potential nuclear tests if the United States proceeded with similar plans. A source told the newspaper Kommersant that Lavrov deliberately skipped the discussion, though remains a full member of the council.
Author’s Summary
The Kremlin denied any conflict between President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov after the canceled Trump-Putin meeting, calling the media speculation baseless.