At UN, Russia and Germany’s top diplomats hold first talks since war in Ukraine

Top diplomats from Russia and Germany held their first direct talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, meeting on Saturday, September 26, 2026, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul requested the approximately 20-minute discussion with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

During the meeting, Wadephul urged Russia to abandon its "dangerous path of escalation" towards Germany, Europe, and NATO, reaffirming Germany's unwavering support for Ukraine. He also pressed for an agreement on Black Sea grain exports and raised concerns about a recent drone incident at Leipzig airport, which Germany attributed to Russia.

Lavrov, however, was dismissive of the talks, stating he heard nothing beyond Germany's publicly declared positions condemning Russia. He subsequently used his address to the UN General Assembly to accuse Germany of being Ukraine's primary sponsor and seeking to become a leading military power, indicating a continued lack of rapprochement between the two nations.