Putin's Right-Hand Man's Absence Raises Questions
The seasoned diplomat's missing presence at an important Kremlin meeting and the G20 delegation has sparked rumors about a potential fall from favor with President Vladimir Putin.
Analyzing Kremlin Hierarchy Through Appearances
During the Soviet era, Western analysts examined state event videos, such as Red Square military parades, to interpret Kremlin power dynamics—who stood closest to the leader, their body language, and which figures were favored or sidelined.
Today, similar scrutiny remains. Observers are analyzing footage from Wednesday's critical Security Council meeting where Putin instructed his senior officials to begin drafting plans for a possible nuclear weapons test.
Unusual Absence of Sergei Lavrov
Notably, Sergei Lavrov, Russia's longtime foreign minister and a permanent Security Council member, did not attend the meeting, an absence seen as highly unusual for such a trusted official.
The Russian business daily Kommersant reported that Lavrov’s absence was "coordinated," adding to speculation about internal Kremlin changes.
"His absence was 'coordinated'."
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Author's Summary
Sergei Lavrov’s mysterious absence from key Kremlin events suggests a shift in his standing within Putin’s inner circle, reflecting ongoing power reconfigurations.