Kyiv sources claim a "furious" Putin has sidelined his top diplomat, comparing him to Shoigu, as a Russian financier is dispatched to Washington for damage control.
CaliToday (03/11/2025): In a shocking claim emerging from Ukrainian intelligence sources, veteran Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reportedly been severely sidelined and faces intense criticism from the Kremlin after the last-minute, high-stakes summit between President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in Budapest was abruptly canceled.
Responsibility for the diplomatic collapse, the sources allege, is being placed squarely on Russia's own Foreign Ministry for a "disastrously" misjudged communication that enraged the White House.
The "Ultimatum" Memo
According to the reports, the crisis was triggered by a preparatory memorandum sent from Lavrov's ministry to Washington. This memo, intended to set the terms for the summit, was described by sources as "unrealistic and carrying the tone of an ultimatum."
This approach reportedly infuriated President Trump, who viewed the document as a bad-faith negotiation tactic and immediately canceled the meeting. The fallout has been severe, with Western media outlets, citing the memo's contents, labeling Lavrov a "detonator" for further freezing the already-frigid U.S.-Russia relations.
A Fall from Grace: "The Next Shoigu"?
The sources, citing chatter from Moscow, allege that President Putin is "furious" over the incident, which he reportedly condemned in a private, high-level meeting as a "ruined golden opportunity."
In a bitter twist, Lavrov, a diplomatic stalwart known for his absolute and often hawkish loyalty to Putin, may have inadvertently sealed his own fate. The reports claim that in his effort to appear tough, Lavrov has "pushed himself into the position of a 'second Shoigu.'"
This comparison refers to the perceived marginalization of other powerful Russian figures, such as Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, suggesting Lavrov has transitioned from an untouchable pillar of power to a potential "sacrificial lamb."
The "Clean-Up" Crew
With the primary diplomatic channel now seen as toxic, the Kremlin has reportedly dispatched a different kind of emissary to "clean up the consequences."
Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and a well-known financial envoy to the West, has reportedly been sent to the United States for damage control. Dmitriev, who is seen as a more pragmatic, business-minded figure than the ideological Lavrov, is believed to be attempting to smooth relations and salvage what is left of the diplomatic agenda.
Back in Moscow, the belief among insiders is that Lavrov’s long-held ministerial chair is "shaking violently." The sources conclude that it may not be long before the Kremlin decides to "change horses mid-stream," marking an inglorious end for one of the world's most recognizable diplomats.