German and Russian foreign ministers meet for first time since 2022 invasion

Why it matters

It was the first foreign-ministerial contact between Germany and Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, making it a notable diplomatic signal. Wadephul reported that Russia showed no readiness to engage on ending the war or to de-escalate. Germany used the meeting to raise the alleged Russian drone incident at Leipzig airport and to reaffirm support for Ukraine and sanctions pressure on Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha was briefed on the meeting's results, framing it within coordinated Ukraine–Germany positions.

What happened

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on September 26 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York — the first meeting between the heads of the two countries' foreign ministries since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The meeting took place at the initiative of the German side, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry, and lasted slightly more than 20 minutes, per the Russian ministry and TASS.

Wadephul said he did not negotiate with Lavrov on Ukraine's future, because that question, in his words, must be decided by Ukrainians themselves. He also raised the incident involving drones at Leipzig airport, which Berlin considers an attempted Russian sabotage, calling it a crossing of a red line and a form of unacceptable escalation, and warning that Germany would respond. He told reporters he did not see willingness from the Russian delegation to heed his call to begin negotiations on ending the war or to pursue de-escalation.

Wadephul reaffirmed that Germany would continue comprehensive support for Ukraine and maintain economic pressure on Russia. He also said he did not want to leave European engagement with Russia solely to the United States, and that colleagues, including from the Global South, had asked him to raise the threat of famine and advocate for a ceasefire in the Black Sea. He said further meetings with Russia are possible if Russia shows readiness for constructive dialogue and to stop its war against Ukraine.

Lavrov rejected Germany's accusations of Russian involvement in the Leipzig airport drone incident and characterised the meeting as offering nothing new beyond publicly stated German positions, suggesting Wadephul could have simply phoned and read out his text. At a press conference, Lavrov said Wadephul had called for 'concessions on the Ukrainian front' and a Black Sea arrangement to allow tankers and cargo ships to pass, and effectively rejected that initiative. Wadephul, responding, said this is how someone with no arguments and in a weak position reacts.

After the meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha spoke with Wadephul by phone. Sybiha said Wadephul informed him of the results and thanked him for conveying firm joint positions to the Russian side, including the demand that Moscow end the war, confirmation of unwavering support for Ukraine, and a warning against further hostile actions against Europe.

How Ukrainian sources describe it

Ukrainian coverage foregrounds Wadephul's conclusion that no Russian readiness for peace was visible, treating the meeting primarily through the lens of its (lack of) outcomes for Ukraine. Headlines highlight his reaffirmation of support for Ukraine, continued economic pressure on Russia, and the Leipzig drone episode as a 'red line'. The post-meeting Sybiha–Wadephul phone call and Sybiha's framing of 'firm joint positions' are emphasised, presenting the meeting as coordinated with Kyiv. Several outlets flag Wadephul's statement that Ukraine's future must be decided by Ukrainians, underscoring that nothing about Ukraine was negotiated without Ukraine.

How international sources describe it

Western-leaning coverage positions the meeting primarily as a German diplomatic initiative — at Berlin's request, according to Russia's Foreign Ministry — and a resumption of dialogue after a long pause, emphasising Wadephul's rationale of not leaving Russia engagement solely to the United States. The framing stresses Wadephul's humanitarian motivation, including a possible Black Sea ceasefire, Global South concerns over famine, and the prospect of further meetings contingent on Russian constructiveness. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna's sharp criticism of the meeting as 'a victory for Moscow' and a risk of normalising relations is included as a contrasting European reaction.

Where reporting differs

Wadephul framed the meeting as a serious attempt to push for de-escalation and negotiations on ending the war; Lavrov characterised it as offering nothing new beyond publicly stated positions, mocked it as something that could have been delivered by phone, and rejected Wadephul's reported calls for 'concessions on the Ukrainian front' and a Black Sea arrangement for tanker and cargo passage. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna sharply criticised the meeting as 'a victory for Moscow' that risked creating an impression of normalisation; Wadephul and Sybiha presented it as a firm delivery of joint Ukraine–Germany positions and a warning against further escalation.

Background

The previous German–Russian foreign-ministerial meeting took place on 18 January 2022 in Moscow, when the German Foreign Ministry was led by Annalena Baerbock, shortly before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Wadephul–Lavrov meeting occurred during the 81st session of the UN General Assembly in New York; US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had met Lavrov in New York on September 23. Wadephul cited Cold War–era contacts and advice from partners, including from Global South countries concerned about food security, as context for engaging Russia directly.