Merz says Lavrov comments show Moscow not interested in serious negotiations
The chancellor’s remarks come days after a surprise meeting between Russia’s foreign minister and his German counterpart.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed on Tuesday that Russia appeared uninterested in "serious talks" following Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's criticism of a recent meeting. The meeting, which took place at the United Nations on Saturday, marked the first encounter between ministers from Germany and Russia since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Following the discussion, Lavrov dismissed Wadephul's positions as "nothing new." Merz responded at a press conference in Berlin, stating, "Russia's subsequent assessment of that meeting has shown that Russia is apparently not at all interested in serious talks at this time." He added that Germany would continue to support Ukraine through military, political, financial, and economic means.
Merz's remarks came in response to Lavrov's dismissive assessment of the meeting with Wadephul. Lavrov stated that Wadephul's meeting with him merely reiterated Germany's daily public and official communications. Before engaging with Lavrov, Wadephul had acknowledged the invitation extended to Russian President Vladimir Putin for the G20 meeting in Miami in December as an "opportunity."
This comment raised questions about potential changes in Germany's diplomatic approach towards Russia. Wadephul further explained that the meeting aimed to assure Lavrov of Germany's readiness to defend itself following the detection of explosive-laden drones at a German airport, which Berlin attributed to Moscow. Additionally, Wadephul sought to discuss the growing concerns over a global food crisis and efforts to revive a grain deal between Russia and Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Merz reiterated Germany's longstanding demands to the Kremlin, stressing the need for Russia to cease its invasion, for Europeans to be granted a seat at the table in any negotiations regarding the war's end, and for Ukraine to be offered a pathway to EU membership. Merz concluded, "I can only say once again that Russia will not win this war, and Russia itself will suffer massive damage — including to its economy."
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