Diplomatic turmoil has been sparked by a Financial Times report suggesting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov may meet on October 30 in Budapest.
The newspaper cites an unnamed German official who mentioned there is an “expectation” that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will present his plans before the Donald Trump – Vladimir Putin meeting, while a separate European meeting with the American president is also being considered.
According to the same source, Lavrov and Rubio are expected to arrive in the Hungarian capital on October 30.
Moscow’s response
Moscow, through Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, immediately responded to the report. Speaking to TASS news agency, she stated that Russia will release official information about any meeting once there are concrete details, while calling not to give prominence to a “communication show”.
Preparation for the Trump – Putin meeting?
According to Reuters, the Rubio – Lavrov meeting was initially scheduled for October 23.
The Kremlin mentioned that the two foreign ministers will begin preparatory work for the upcoming Trump – Putin meeting in Budapest.
The Budapest backstory
If the meeting actually takes place, it will be the first direct contact between Russian and American foreign ministers after the change of guard in Washington, and the first test of rapprochement between the two powers under Europe’s watchful eye.
However, for now, Moscow is not confirming anything – and the sense remains that the game is being played at the level of leaks and symbolism.
