Alexander Lukashevich will replace Andrei Nesterenko as the Foreign Ministry’s main spokesman at the Kremlin’s orders, Kommersant reported Tuesday.
Nesterenko, who is tipped to be named ambassador to Montenegro, displeased the Kremlin in June when he reiterated Moscow’s commitment to supply S-300 missiles to Iran, not knowing that the government’s policy had changed and the deal was to be frozen, the report said.
No official confirmation followed the report Tuesday, but Kommersant said Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov would announce the reshuffle Thursday.
Both Nesterenko and Lukashevich are career diplomats.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.