Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met at the UN General Assembly to discuss bilateral relations and the war in Ukraine.
Key facts
- •The meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
- •The last meeting between Russian and German foreign ministers occurred in January 2022.
- •Wadephul stated that Germany would support diplomacy if Russia engages in negotiations for a sustainable peace.
- •Germany linked Russia to an August incident at Leipzig airport and a September 3 arson attack in Munich.
- •Wadephul called for the protection of Ukrainian grain exports to avoid food shortages in the Global South.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This encounter marked the first time the two countries' foreign ministers have held talks since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022.
Meeting Agenda and Tensions
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the meeting was requested by the German side. The ministers discussed bilateral relations and the ongoing war in Ukraine, with the Russian ministry noting that Wadephul reaffirmed Germany’s publicly stated positions. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova alleged that the German delegation requested restrictions on media access, including a ban on questions and audio recordings during opening remarks.
German Stance and Security Concerns
Wadephul stated that Germany remains committed to supporting Ukraine and called for a ceasefire and negotiations toward a sustainable peace. He also confronted Lavrov regarding recent security incidents, specifically mentioning an arson attack on a drone manufacturer in Munich and an alleged attempt to blow up cargo planes at Leipzig airport. Wadephul warned that such actions crossed a line and that Germany would respond if its sovereignty were violated.
Black Sea Exports and Global Impact
During the discussions, Wadephul urged Russia to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea to prevent potential starvation in the Global South. He criticized Russian attacks on civilian vessels, citing an incident on September 17 where a Tanzania-flagged ship was struck, resulting in the death of its captain and injuries to three crew members.
Timeline
- January 2022Sergey Lavrov held his last meeting with a German foreign minister before the invasion.
- September 3An arson attack occurred at a drone manufacturer in Munich.
- September 17A Russian attack on a Tanzania-flagged vessel in the Black Sea killed its captain.
- September 26Foreign Ministers Lavrov and Wadephul met at the UN General Assembly.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Moscow Times, Kyiv Independent.
