【By Observer Net, Qi Qian】

Recently, Western media have been hyping up the news that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has been marginalized.

According to reports from CNN and Reuters, on November 7th local time, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov addressed the rumors. In a telephone conference with journalists, he said: "I give you a short answer - these reports are completely unfounded. Lavrov will certainly continue to serve as Foreign Minister."

On the same day, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova responded to CNN's request for comment, confirming that Lavrov is still in office. She also admitted that Lavrov was absent from the meeting on the 5th, but added, "such things happen often."

The report mentioned that "the meeting on the 5th" refers to the meeting of the Russian Security Council held that day, where President Putin proposed the possibility of a comprehensive nuclear test.

Some observers pointed out that Lavrov was the only permanent member of the Russian Security Council who was absent. Earlier, the Russian media "Biznes Informatsiya" reported that a source revealed that Lavrov's absence from the high-level meeting was "pre-arranged."

One day earlier (on the 4th), Putin signed an order appointing Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Maxim Oreshkin to lead the Russian delegation to the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, rather than Lavrov.

Reuters also noticed that the Russian Foreign Ministry has not disclosed Lavrov's travel plans and speech activities for the next week for two consecutive weeks.

"These developments have sparked speculation," wrote Reuters and CNN, "whether Lavrov, who has served as Foreign Minister for over twenty years, has been 'marginalized,' and whether it signals possible restructuring within the Russian government?"

On October 27, Lavrov met with North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. Oriental IC

It is introduced that Lavrov has served as Russian Foreign Minister for over twenty years, and previously served as Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations. This 75-year-old Foreign Minister has developed a straightforward and confrontational diplomatic style, and has a close relationship with President Putin.

CNN stated that Lavrov's tough style had limited effectiveness when dealing with the Trump administration.

The report mentioned that the news of Lavrov's absence from an important high-level meeting came several weeks after the temporary suspension of the second U.S.-Russia leaders' meeting. Previously, Putin and U.S. President Trump planned to hold a face-to-face meeting in Budapest. U.S. officials said that Russia did not change its firm stance on the Ukraine issue, and the Trump administration subsequently imposed new sanctions on Russia.

The UK's Financial Times recently reported that a source said Lavrov's conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio made Washington hesitate. At that time, after the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement, Washington canceled the new summit. The report suggests that this diplomatic setback caused a backlash within Moscow, leading to Lavrov being "marginalized."

However, when responding to related questions on the 7th, Zakharova pointed out that reports from the Financial Times and other media were intended to incite harmful speculation about Russia, and were part of the "hybrid war" against Russia by the West.

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