“Yahoo News. I believe this is a misrepresentation of Lavrov’s actual remark.”
I agree with your skepticism of Yahoo News. But in this case a Belorussian source confirms the comment:
https://charter97.org/en/news/2024/5/17/595375/
“Lavrov suddenly spoke honestly and called Putin “Xi Jinping’s donkey.” At the very least, he will be castrated. And the old fool won’t reach a decent veterinary clinic.
Most likely, the procedure will be carried out on the plane on the way back to Moscow. The entire Putin retinue, flight attendants and FSO will take part in cutting off the minister’s eggs.
The testicles will be thrown into the taiga. Let us note that Lavrov, calling Putin “Xi Jinping’s donkey,” revealed absolutely the entire ins and outs of Russian-Chinese relations.
This sweet eastern saying is not just “oriental”, but Mongolian, applied to those who were invited out of favor and “should know their place.” “