Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
He has held the position for 22 years.
Whispers of a potential shakeup at the highest levels of Russian diplomacy are growing louder in Moscow, as veteran Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who has held his post for 22 years, may soon step down.
The speculation comes alongside new investigative findings from media outlet Proekt, reported by Agentstvo.
While Lavrov has given no public indication of plans to step down, sources suggest he may be considering an exit.
The flight records
Leaked flight records obtained by Proekt revealed that Lavrov and his alleged mistress, Svetlana Polyakova, repeatedly vacationed abroad with Lyubov Kabaeva, the mother of Vladimir Putin’s partner Alina Kabaeva.
The group traveled together to Croatia and Turkey aboard luxury private jets funded by prominent business figures. Independent media outlets noted that these joint trips highlight how deeply Russian state officials are connected to wealthy oligarchs who fund their lavish retreats.
Insiders believe these close personal bonds helped keep Lavrov in office for over two decades as the sole remaining minister from Putin’s original government team.
Shift in power
Despite his long tenure, several Kremlin-linked sources told journalists that his departure would be a logical step.
They pointed out that traditional foreign policy has virtually ceased, leaving the ministry sidelined during major international negotiations regarding Ukraine.
Sources added that any potential replacement for Lavrov might come from outside the traditional diplomatic corps entirely. “However, two of them heard that the new head of the Foreign Ministry should not be a diplomat,” Agentstvo reported.
Observers also noted that the Foreign Ministry has transformed from an agency that “generates ideas” into a “service structure” for the Kremlin.
While no final decision has been announced, officials expect potential cabinet reshuffles following the upcoming State Duma elections. The resulting fallout could redefine Russia’s foreign policy leadership for years to come.
From polished to hawkish
In his early years, Lavrov operated as a polished, sharp-witted tactician built on a decade at the UN. He acted as a stubborn yet capable negotiator, leveraging deep procedural knowledge to aggressively defend Kremlin interests while helping broker high-profile international agreements like the 2013 Syrian chemical weapons deal and the 2015 Iran nuclear accord.
As Moscow’s ties with the West fractured, Lavrov’s demeanor hardened into uncompromising hostility.
Acting as the Kremlin’s chief international enforcer, he became infamous for acerbic press conferences, combative rhetoric, and liberal use of the UN veto—routinely mocking Western counterparts, walking out of international summits, and fiercely justifying Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
