German foreign minister meets Lavrov at UN General Assembly in New York

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a 20-minute meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, marking the first direct talks between the two countries' foreign ministers since 2022. Details of the conversation were reported by the German newspaper FAZ, citing sources within the delegation.

According to the available information, Wadephul used the meeting to call on Russia to abandon its dangerous path of escalation against Germany, Europe and NATO. The minister reportedly stressed that incidents such as the drone episode in Leipzig, or other hybrid attacks, would not weaken Germany's resolve to continue supporting Ukraine. Germany has attributed responsibility for the Leipzig drone incident to Russia.

Background

The source notes that Wadephul had long been considering such a meeting, as European countries seek ways to rejoin talks on a peace settlement in Ukraine, while Moscow had reportedly signaled through third countries its willingness for dialogue.

During the talks, Wadephul also said that the current poor state of German-Russian relations does not serve Germany's interests, adding that the possibility of returning to constructive relations exists at any time — provided the war, which violates international law, is ended.

The meeting took place shortly after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lavrov in New York on September 23. Following that meeting, Russia's foreign ministry said Lavrov had complained to Rubio about Ukrainian strikes on facilities inside Russia.