Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei V. Lavrov, on Monday denied that he had been hospitalized following reports that he had experienced a health problem ahead of the high-profile Group of 20 summit of global leaders in Indonesia.
The Associated Press, citing multiple Indonesian government and medical officials, had reported that Mr. Lavrov “had been taken to the hospital after suffering a health problem following his arrival” on the island. Bali’s governor, I Wayan Koster, told the Reuters news agency that Mr. Lavrov had visited a hospital for what he said was a checkup, and that he was in good health.
A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, said on the Telegram messaging app that the reports by news outlets of any health problem were “fake.” She did not specify whether Mr. Lavrov had seen a doctor in the hospital in Indonesia.
Ms. Zakharova also posted a video statement showing Mr. Lavrov sitting at a table, flipping though papers. The New York Times could not immediately verify when and where the video was recorded.
The Russian state news agency Tass reported that Mr. Lavrov told its reporter that he was preparing for the G20 summit.
“I’m at the hotel. I’m reading materials for tomorrow’s summit,” Mr. Lavrov said, according to Tass.
Mr. Lavrov is representing Russia at the G20 meeting in place of President Vladimir V. Putin, who decided not to attend. Europe and the United States are considering imposing more sanctions and further isolating Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine.
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