Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has urged Russia to abandon its "dangerous path of escalation" during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York. This meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 26, 2026, was the first since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and was requested by Germany, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
In his address to the UNGA, Lavrov stated that Germany is not only a major supporter of Ukraine but also aims to become a leading military power in Europe. He questioned whether Berlin understood the potential consequences of its actions, referencing the lessons of World War II.
Diplomatic relations between Germany and Russia have been strained since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, worsening after a drone incident at Leipzig airport last month, which Germany attributed to Russia. Moscow has denied any involvement and accused Germany of fabricating evidence.
Lavrov expressed that he did not learn anything new from Wadephul during their discussions, suggesting that the German minister could have simply referred to official statements instead. Despite this, both ministers addressed bilateral relations and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Wadephul emphasized the need for Russia to facilitate agreements on grain exports via the Black Sea, as reported by a German delegation source. This meeting coincides with diplomatic efforts to revive grain and energy exports that have been hindered by attacks on maritime vessels and port facilities.
Lavrov mentioned that Russia has been in discussions with India, Egypt, and Turkiye regarding safe navigation in the Black Sea, indicating a need for direct negotiations with Ukraine, which he characterized as demands rather than requests. He attributed the attacks on vessels to Ukraine, while Kyiv maintains that Russia is responsible for the war's consequences.
Following the meeting, Wadephul informed his European allies about the discussions, reiterating Germany's stance on Russia's aggression against Ukraine and calling for an immediate ceasefire, particularly concerning grain and energy infrastructure.