Here’s a rewritten version of the article, focusing on verifiable facts and a breaking-news lead wiht evergreen context:
breaking: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Reportedly Being Phased Out of Key Diplomatic Roles
Moscow, Russia – Speculation is mounting that Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, 75, is being sidelined from notable foreign policy initiatives, with reports suggesting his eventual departure from the post. This comes as Russia navigates a diplomatic crisis with Azerbaijan,a situation where Lavrov has been notably absent from key engagements.
According to russian political scientist Alexander Morozov, speaking to the publication “We can explain,” Lavrov’s reduced participation in diplomatic processes is no longer an anomaly but a new operational standard. Morozov stated that Lavrov is aging and that a search for his replacement is underway, suggesting the minister has been “blown away” from his previous influence.
Morozov attributes this shift to a broader strategic reorientation within the Kremlin, characterized by the concept of “Russia as a fortress.” In this view, the international community is perceived as inherently opposed, and foreign policy has consequently adopted a defensive posture. “Everything that is outside the Russian Federation is perceived either as hostile or as treacherous,” Morozov explained.
This isolationist approach, according to morozov, has diminished the Foreign Ministry’s traditional role. Lavrov, he suggests, has transitioned from a negotiator to a conduit for the Kremlin’s ideological directives. His current function, Morozov posits, is to maintain a defensive stance and reinforce the narrative of Russia facing a global conspiracy.
Evidence cited for Lavrov’s diminished role includes his absence from diplomatic missions where he previously played a central part. As a notable example, Patriarch Kirill represented Russia in Baku during the recent diplomatic tensions with Azerbaijan, a move morozov interprets as a sign of the Foreign Ministry’s waning influence. “The Foreign Ministry has lost its previous weight, because Russia is no longer perceived as a major political player,” the political scientist commented.
Beyond these political considerations,personal factors are also cited.Lavrov’s physical condition has reportedly declined, and rumors of his potential resignation have been circulating for some time. morozov anticipates that “the issue of Lavrov’s departure will rise more and more actively.”
Potential successors to Lavrov have been mentioned, including Konstantin Kosachev, Vice-Speaker of the Federation Council, and Vasily nebenzya, Russia’s Permanent representative to the UN. Nebenzya has previously drawn attention for controversial statements, including the dissemination of unsubstantiated claims regarding weaponized mosquitoes.
Evergreen Context:
Sergei Lavrov has served as Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs since March 2004, making him one of the longest-serving foreign ministers in the world. His tenure has spanned significant shifts in Russia’s global standing and foreign policy, from its post-Soviet re-emergence to its current period of increased international isolation. The role of the Foreign Ministry in any nation is to represent its interests abroad, conduct diplomacy, and manage international relations. The perceived effectiveness and influence of a foreign ministry are frequently enough tied to the country’s overall geopolitical standing and its approach to international engagement. Changes in leadership within foreign ministries can signal shifts in a nation’s foreign policy priorities and its engagement with the global community.