Russia and Germany Hold First Diplomatic Talks Since 2022
Germany's Johann Wadephul and Russia's Sergey Lavrov met Saturday in New York, the first foreign-minister-level talks between the two countries since January 2022. The roughly 20-minute meeting was held in a room provided by the Russian side.
- Russia's Foreign Ministry said the meeting covered bilateral relations and the Ukraine war.
- Germany initiated the meeting, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
- Wadephul called on Russia to abandon what he described as a 'dangerous path of escalation' toward Germany, Europe, and NATO.
- Wadephul pressed Lavrov to restore Black Sea grain exports, citing food shortages in the Global South.
Why it matters: German-Russian relations have sharply deteriorated since Russia's 2022 invasion, and worsened further after an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport last month. Germany concluded Russia was responsible and closed a Russian consulate and cultural center in Berlin. Russia's embassy called the allegations fabricated.
- Germany said hybrid attacks would not weaken its support for Ukraine.
- Russia's war has curtailed Black Sea shipping, affecting global fuel, fertilizer, and grain supplies.
How 10 sources split on this story
Where they split: The two sides disagree on the Leipzig drone attack: Germany holds Russia responsible; Russia's embassy calls the claim fabricated.
Center coverage, 7 sources: The center focuses on the diplomatic mechanics — who initiated the meeting, what specific demands Wadephul made on grain exports and escalation, and the frozen state of bilateral ties since 2022.
Deutsche Welle7hGermany's FM Wadephul meets Lavrov on UNGA sidelines
Reuters5hAt UN, Russia and Germany's top diplomats hold first talks since 2022
Bloomberg7hRussia’s Lavrov Discusses Ukraine With Germany’s WadephulCNCTV News1hGerman, Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at UN
Financial Times3hGerman and Russian foreign ministers meet for first time in over four years
Jerusalem Post44mRussia, Germany's top diplomats hold first talks since 2022 at UN
PBS NewsHour3hGerman and Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at United Nations General AssemblyLeft coverage, 2 sources: The left frames the meeting against a backdrop of intensifying aerial warfare and rising civilian casualties, emphasizing Lavrov's combative UN speech and the limited prospects for de-escalation.
What’s next: Washington is pushing for three-way technical talks between U.S., Ukrainian, and Russian delegations. Ukraine is waiting for the U.S. to set a date.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Trump discussed such a meeting but no date is set.
- Whether Saturday's meeting signals any willingness from either side to reduce tensions or move toward ceasefire steps.
- Whether the U.S. will propose a date for three-way technical talks, and whether Russia will agree to participate.