Russia, Germany's top diplomats hold first talks since 2022 at UN

Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, and Johann Wadephul, Germany's foreign minister, engaged in their first diplomatic discussions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, at the UN General Assembly on Saturday. The talks, held on the sidelines of the assembly, focused on bilateral relations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to the Russian foreign ministry.

Wadephul called on Russia to do everything possible to reach an agreement on grain exports through the Black Sea, a critical issue given the curtailment of Ukrainian and Russian exports in recent months due to targeted port infrastructure and vessel strikes. The German minister emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that time is of the essence, especially considering the food shortages in various countries, particularly in the Global South.

Wadephul also urged Russia to support a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea and a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure, though Russia has not publicly indicated support for these initiatives. The German minister further suggested that a pragmatic solution could pave the way for additional concrete steps. Relations between Moscow and Berlin have been severely strained since the Russian invasion, and tensions escalated after a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August, which Germany blamed on Russia.

In response, Germany closed a consulate and a Russian cultural center in Berlin. Wadephul urged Russia to abandon the path of escalation towards Germany, Europe, and NATO, warning that such incidents would not deter Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine, according to delegation sources.