Lavrov and Wadephul hold first talks since 2022 on UNGA sidelines

Russia’s Sergei Lavrov and Germany’s Johann Wadephul met on Saturday on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, in the first such talks since before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Russian foreign ministry said the pair discussed bilateral relations and the war in Ukraine; the last meeting at this level was Lavrov’s with then-foreign minister Annalena Baerbock on 18 January 2022.

Wadephul pressed Moscow on food security, urging Russia to do “everything possible to reach an agreement on grain exports via the Black Sea”, a German delegation source said. “Time is of the essence: given the food shortages in many countries — particularly in the Global South — all parties must be willing to engage constructively,” he told Lavrov, adding that “a pragmatic solution could pave the way for further concrete steps”. Black Sea exports have been sharply curtailed as both sides targeted each other’s ports and vessels; Kyiv and its allies are pushing for a limited ceasefire there and on energy-infrastructure strikes, but Moscow has given no clear public indication of support.

Moscow–Berlin ties have been in deep freeze since the invasion, worsening after an August drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport that Germany blamed on Russia, ordering the closure of a Russian consulate and a cultural centre in Berlin; the Russian embassy dismissed the claims as “fabricated provocation”.

The meeting came at Germany’s request, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram, noting the German side had demanded restricted media access, no questions and no audio recording. Wadephul is scheduled to address the General Debate on Saturday.

Sources

• Reuters: At UN, Russia and Germany’s top diplomats hold first talks since 2022
• APA: Russia’s top diplomat holds meeting with his German counterpart on sidelines of UNGA
• Azernews: Russian and German foreign ministers hold first meeting in 4.5 years
• Osna.FM: German Foreign Minister Meets Russian Counterpart Amid UN General Assembly Debates
• Izvestia: Lavrov and the German Foreign Minister met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly for the first time in 4.5 years