German and Russian foreign ministers meet for first time in over four years

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   German, Russian foreign ministers meet for first time in over four years

   German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, their first bilateral meeting since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The talks took place amid heightened tensions between Berlin and Moscow, with Germany accusing Russia of orchestrating an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport. The meeting was driven by Russia's security concerns, according to Wadephul.

   Why it matters

   The meeting marks a rare instance of diplomatic engagement between Germany and Russia since the Ukraine war began. Europe is increasingly discussing preparations for a potential war with Russia by the end of the decade. The conflict has led to a new security phase in Europe, with military confrontation overlapping with cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation campaigns.

   What is confirmed

   • German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
   • The meeting was their first bilateral talk since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
   • The talks were driven by Russia's security concerns, according to Wadephul.
   • Germany accused Russia of orchestrating an attempted drone attack on Leipzig airport.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Russia clearly has the upper hand in the air in Ukraine, according to Marko Mihkelson.

   What to watch next

   • Further diplomatic engagements between Germany and Russia
   • Escalation of tensions between Berlin and Moscow
   • Progress in Europe's military buildup by 2030
   Sources used for this update (25)

   1. english.aawsat.com — Europe and the Dilemma of Preparing for a '2030 War'
   2. english.aawsat.com — Russia's Lavrov Meets German Foreign Minister at UN
   3. www.cnn.com — At UN, Russia and Germany’s top diplomats hold first talks since invasion of Ukraine
   4. Financial Times — German and Russian foreign ministers meet for first time in over four years
   5. Reuters — At UN, Russia and Germany's top diplomats hold first talks since 2022
   6. dw.com — Germany's FM Wadephul meets Lavrov on UNGA sidelines
   7. CTV News — Russia’s aggression towards NATO is ‘on a new level’: German foreign minister
   8. ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — German, Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at UN
   9. The New York Times — Russian Foreign Minister Vows Russia Will See Ukraine War Through
   10. PBS — German and Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at United Nations General Assembly
   11. The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: German foreign minister urges Russia to abandon dangerous escalation in rare meeting
   12. apnews.com — Russia's top diplomat rejects German calls to ease off its `dangerous' escalation toward the country
   confidence 90%