RIA reported on June 6 that Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria
Zakharova, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, denied
reports that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov intends to resign. Zakharova called
Lavrov an outstanding diplomat and leader who has served the national interest,
saying his results are envied even by enemies, and described the resignation
rumours as spread by unfriendly forces and false.