FT Article on Lavrov and Rubio Seen as Part of Media Conflict
The Financial Times article covering a meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is viewed by the Russian Foreign Ministry as a component of the ongoing information warfare against Russia.
Official Response from Russian Ministry
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated during a news briefing:
"We should refrain from commenting on the content of this article. It is merely another element of the hybrid war waged against Russia by the collective West, driven by its Anglo-Saxon influence."
She added that Ukraine is being used as a pawn in this conflict, stressing:
"Peace, stability, and security in Europe are their true anti-goals."
Zakharova also criticized the article as a fictional narrative, likening it to an Agatha Christie novel designed to provoke sensationalism and division:
"This piece was intended to cause ripples, to be heralded as a primary source. Just observe how this topic has been subsequently rehashed."
Additional Commentary from Kremlin Spokesman
Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the Financial Times report alleging that the US canceled a planned meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump in Budapest following Moscow’s memorandum about Ukraine.
The newspaper had described the Lavrov-Rubio discussions during summit preparations as tense. Peskov rejected rumors of Lavrov's falling out of favor in Moscow, calling them:
"Completely untrue."
Key Points Summary
- Russian Foreign Ministry views the FT article as hybrid warfare by the West.
- Ukraine is portrayed as a pawn in an effort undermining Europe's peace and security.
- The article is dismissed as sensational and fabricated to stir discord.
- Kremlin denies claims of tension or political fallout involving Lavrov.
- No official comment on alleged canceled Putin-Trump meeting linked to Ukraine discussions.
Author’s summary: Russian officials condemn the Financial Times article on Lavrov and Rubio as a manipulative element in Western information warfare, stressing Ukraine’s exploitation and dismissing tension rumors within Moscow.