One of the world’s most experienced foreign ministers, Sergei Lavrov (72) has been the right-hand man of President Vladimir Putin since 2004.
Lavrov, described as the “lying machine of Moscow,” has in many ways become the face of the war. After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, President Putin withdrew more and more, while Lavrov increasingly advocated war and repeated Russian lies.
But after 18 years as the “loyal sergeant of the Kremlin”, there are now rumors that he has apparently had enough.
He will build a wall against Russia
– He will resign
Many Western politicians claim that Lavrov recently wanted to step down from the post of Russian Foreign Minister.
– There are some rumors that he wanted to resign a short time ago, but he was not allowed, says former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb express.
The same was said by Carl Bildt, who served as prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden.
disgusting person
– I heard he’s really tired of being a Kremlin watcher, but maybe he doesn’t have much choice these days, he says.
Margot Wallstrom, who was Sweden’s foreign minister from 2014 to 2019, believes these rumors are true.
– After one of my last meetings with him, we talked about him being on his way out, she tells the newspaper.
Neither Lavrov, nor Putin nor the Kremlin have yet commented on the rumours.
– Not participating
Before the 72-year-old became foreign minister, he was Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations for ten years.
But despite his illustrious diplomatic career, Russian expert Jacob Godzimirsky does not believe that Lavrov is involved in major Putin decisions.
Lavrov only opposes Putin’s policies, uses all the tools of a Russian foreign minister, He told Dagbladet earlier.
Elmari Kehko, associate professor of military sciences at the Swedish National Defense College, does not hide the fact that the war may have created a rift in the relationship between Lavrov and Putin.
– It is the Foreign Ministry that will deal with the situation externally, and as a result, Lavrov has become the face of Russian lies and propaganda. It’s not a job she’s directly jealous of, he tells Expressen.
Reputation destroyed
Lavrov has for many years enjoyed a relatively good relationship with his Western colleagues. However, the war likely destroyed the 72-year-old’s relationship – and reputation in – the West, Godzimirsky believes.
He believes that the Secretary of State – once considered a man of great knowledge and good looks – has now made a very different impression.
When people constantly lie and present a highly distorted picture of reality as justification for Russia’s actions, credibility deteriorates.
However, not only was Lavrov accused of lying during the Ukraine war. This also applies to other cases in which Russia has committed crimes, including in Syria.
“Coffee trailblazer. Certified pop culture lover. Infuriatingly humble gamer.”