Russia and Germany Hold First Diplomatic Talks Since 2022 at UN
On September 26, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with German counterpart Johann Wadephul in New York during the U.N. General Assembly—the first such bilateral talks since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Despite ongoing tensions and a recent drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport that worsened relations, both sides discussed bilateral ties and the war in Ukraine. Wadephul urged Lavrov to facilitate grain exports via the Black Sea amid global food shortages, while Lavrov criticized Ukrainian actions for disrupting navigation and suggested separate negotiations with third-party countries. Germany reaffirmed its support for Ukraine despite hybrid threats from Russia, which it holds responsible for recent attacks on diplomatic infrastructure in Germany. The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by international actors to revive stalled grain export agreements between Russia and Ukraine, though progress remains limited due to mutual blame and geopolitical tensions.
