The 81st UN General Assembly is ongoing from September 22-28, 2026. The debate has concluded for the day and will resume for its final session on Monday. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul addressed the assembly, warning about the threat of artificial intelligence and calling for urgent UN reforms. He criticized Russia for its ongoing war in Ukraine, stating that it endangers millions of civilians and disrupts grain deliveries globally. Wadephul described his recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as 'intense' and noted significant disagreements between the two nations. Lavrov dismissed the meeting as unnecessary, stating he heard nothing new from Berlin.
In addition to the Ukraine conflict, foreign ministers from India and Saudi Arabia emphasized the need for de-escalation in the Middle East and the protection of maritime navigation. India's Minister for External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, highlighted the global repercussions of regional conflicts, while Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud condemned Iranian attacks and called for the restoration of freedom of navigation.
Lavrov, addressing the assembly, accused European nations of obstructing peace talks related to the Ukraine conflict and expressed Russia's willingness to contribute to regional stability in the Gulf. The meeting between Wadephul and Lavrov was the first since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, amidst heightened tensions following accusations of a drone attack on Leipzig airport attributed to Russia. Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan also spoke, advocating for small nations to act as 'regulatory sandboxes' for new technologies, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence.