Putin’s Right-Hand Man Misses Key Kremlin Meeting
The absence of Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s long-serving foreign minister, from a major Kremlin meeting and the G20 delegation has sparked speculation about his standing with President Vladimir Putin.
Context from Soviet-Era Protocols
During Soviet times, Western analysts closely studied footage of official events, such as military parades on Red Square, to gauge the Kremlin’s internal hierarchy. They observed who stood closest to the leader, body language, and which officials appeared favored or sidelined.
Today, Kremlin watchers apply similar scrutiny. The recent footage examined comes from Wednesday’s important meeting of Russia’s Security Council. In this meeting, President Putin instructed senior officials to begin preparing proposals for a potential nuclear weapons test.
Conspicuous Absence of Sergei Lavrov
Lavrov’s presence would normally be expected at such a sensitive session. Yet, he was notably missing—being the only permanent Security Council member absent. The Russian business daily Kommersant reported that his absence was “coordinated.”
“According to the Russian business daily, Kommersant, his absence was ‘coordinated.’”
Implications for Kremlin Dynamics
Lavrov’s absence raises questions about his influence and relationship with Putin, hinting that he may have lost favor in the upper echelons of power.
“The heavyweight diplomat’s absence from a key Kremlin meeting and the G20 delegation has fuelled speculation that he has fallen out of favour with President Vladimir Putin.”
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Author’s Summary
Sergei Lavrov’s unexpected absence from a critical Security Council meeting signals possible shifts in Kremlin power dynamics and his standing with President Putin.
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