The Moscow Times - Weekly Newsletter - November 7, 2025 - the Kremlin was forced to dismiss reports that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has fallen out of favor with Putin

 

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Nov. 7, 2025 Sometimes, a picture really is worth 1,000 words. This photo of jailed St. Petersburg musician Vladislav Leontyev seated between two police officers as he appealed his arrest speaks for itself. Image: SOTAvision Hello, dear reader of The Moscow Times! Welcome to our weekly email digest, where we bring you the best of our reporting, opinion pieces and more. Weekly roundup As speculation swirled, the Kremlin was forced to dismiss reports that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has fallen out of favor with Putin in the aftermath of the cancelled Putin-Trump in Hungary. Lavrov was notably absent from this week’s Security Council meeting, where Putin ordered officials to outline what a potential resumption of nuclear testing might look like. The Financial Times recently reported that the Budapest summit was canceled following a “tense call” between Lavrov and his U.S. counterpart Marco Rubio. American officials were reportedly struck by Lavrov’s “intransigence.” Russian media later suggested that Lavrov may be losing his role in leading delegations to international summits, and even hinted that the FT report was planted to undermine him. Former diplomat Boris Bondarev had dismissed the rumors before the Kremlin issued its denial, noting Lavrov’s 21-year working relationship with Putin and saying the media was eagerly chasing a story with little substance. What else happened this week Putin has elevated two dozen relatives to roles in government or at the helm of lucrative state companies in a likely 100-year record. At least 15 regions are stationing reservists to guard oil facilities against Ukrainian drone strikes. The EU banned Russians living in the country from obtaining multiple-entry Schengen visas, while Russians living abroad reported that Revolut blocked their accounts following the latest EU sanctions. Russia will roll out its VAT hikes more slowly following a backlash from small businesses. The Kremlin is grappling with how to maintain high military spending and costly social programs amid darkening economic headlines and a stagnant tax base. Putin signed into law a new year-round conscription model amid the Kremlin’s efforts to expand its manpower for its war in Ukraine. Swiss commodities trader Gunvor withdrew its $22 billion bid to acquire Lukoil’s overseas assets after the U.S. Treasury Department said it would block the deal, branding the firm a “Kremlin puppet.” St. Petersburg police seized musical instruments in a series of raids targeting street performers, signaling a wider clampdown following the arrests of the band Stoptime for singing anti-Putin songs. Raise a glass to the free press This holiday season, why not show your support for The Moscow Times and free Russian media by buying one of our range of engraved glasses commemorating our blacklisting by Moscow? Truth be told, being “undesirable” is at best a headache, and at worst poses serious challenges and security risks for our team. But it means we must be doing something right. We’re eternally grateful to every one of our supporters for keeping the flame of free speech alive as we face down the challenge of reporting on an increasingly closed country in an uncertain global context. Thank you! Featured ‘Belarus’ Strategic Importance Cannot Be Ignored’: Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya The Belarusian opposition leader spoke to MT about Russia’s war, Europe’s fatigue and the future of a nation cut adrift. With 'Russian Houses,' Moscow Expands Soft Power Push Into Africa More than a dozen Russian House cultural centers have opened across the continent in recent years, and more are on the way. How Russia’s Auto Industry Ran Out of Road Despite government promises to revive car manufacturing, Russia’s auto industry is floundering in the face of tough competition from China, weak domestic demand and poor export prospects. How About a Podcast? Russia Underground is back to introduce you to the Russians battling for free speech and basic rights under Putin. In the first two episodes of season 2, hosts Howard Amos and Nina Berezner explore how Russians use their family history to explore taboos and understand modern repression, and how teachers and parents are resisting the militarization of the school curriculum. Opinion Ilya Yashin By Blocking Russian Exiles’ Accounts, Revolut Is Hitting the Wrong Targets Read More Lucy Ash Russian Orthodox Priests Don’t Practice What They Preach Read More Boris Bondarev Don't Blame Putin Alone for Russia's Misdeeds – It's the System Read More

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