Germany's foreign minister has met Sergey Lavrov, the first such talks since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Should Europe keep talking to Moscow directly?
Johann Wadephul and Sergey Lavrov met briefly on 26 September at the UN General Assembly in New York, at Germany's request. Lavrov said afterwards he had heard nothing new, while Wadephul said better relations depend on Russia being willing to end the war.
What happened
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on 26 September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, their first meeting since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Germany asked for the talks. Wadephul urged Russia to abandon its "dangerous path of escalation", called for an immediate ceasefire and raised Black Sea grain exports. Relations had worsened after Berlin blamed Russia for a drone incident at Leipzig airport in August, which Moscow denies.
Why people disagree
Supporters say a direct line to Moscow lets Europe deliver warnings in person and press urgent issues such as grain exports and energy infrastructure. Critics point out the meeting produced nothing, with Lavrov saying Berlin could simply have told him to read its statement, and argue that talks without concessions hand Moscow a propaganda win while the war goes on.
What's still unclear
It is unclear whether the meeting leads to further contact, whether it helps any Black Sea grain arrangement, or whether other European governments will follow Germany in reopening ministerial talks with Russia.
Sources
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