Russia, Germany hold first talks since 2022

UNITED NATIONS: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held talks in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, marking their first meeting since before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The meeting came amid strained relations between Moscow and Berlin. Germany remains a strong supporter of Ukraine, while tensions between Russia and Germany have increased over security incidents and accusations of hostile activities.

The two ministers discussed bilateral relations and the war in Ukraine. However, Lavrov indicated that the meeting had not produced any major new information from the German side.

A key issue raised by Wadephul was the resumption of grain exports through the Black Sea. A German delegation source said the minister urged Russia to take steps towards an agreement that could restore safe grain shipments.

Wadephul stressed that time was important because food shortages continue to affect several countries, particularly in the Global South. He said all sides needed to engage constructively and suggested that a practical arrangement could lead to further measures.

Lavrov said Russia had been discussing proposals for safe navigation in the Black Sea with India, Egypt and Türkiye. He added that Moscow believed separate discussions with Ukraine would also be necessary.

Russia has blamed Ukraine for attacks on vessels in the region, while Kyiv has rejected Moscow’s position and attributed the broader disruption to Russia’s invasion.

The talks also covered wider relations between Russia and Germany. Wadephul reiterated Berlin’s call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine, with particular attention to grain shipments and energy infrastructure.

He also raised concerns over alleged hybrid attacks and called on Moscow to avoid further escalation involving Germany, Europe and NATO.

Germany recently said Russia was responsible for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Berlin responded by closing a Russian consulate and a Russian cultural centre.

Russia has rejected the accusation, describing it as a fabricated provocation and accusing Germany of promoting anti-Russian sentiment.

Wadephul told Lavrov that alleged incidents and future hybrid attacks would not weaken Germany’s support for Ukraine, according to German delegation sources.

The meeting marked a rare direct diplomatic contact between the foreign ministers of the two countries as efforts continue internationally to address the Ukraine war and restore disrupted Black Sea trade.