Merz says Lavrov comments show Moscow not interested in serious negotiations

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1. 1h ago

   Chancellor Merz Says Russia Not Interested in Serious Ukraine Peace Talks

   German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Russia is not interested in serious negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Merz made the assessment following comments from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov regarding a meeting between Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. The EU Foreign Policy Chief also noted that Russian mockery of a UN meeting demonstrates a lack of interest in ending the conflict. Merz pledged long-term support for Ukraine as Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov vowed that Russia will see the war through.

   Why it matters

   The meeting between the German and Russian foreign ministers at the UN was the first such talk since the invasion of Ukraine. It occurred as Moscow shifted from conditional openness to a harder line following a drone campaign on election day. This diplomatic friction follows a period where the Kremlin signaled that negotiations could resume after the September 20 State Duma elections.

   What is confirmed

   • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated Russia is not interested in serious negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
   • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held talks at the UN.
   • The meeting between the Russian and German top diplomats was the first since the invasion of Ukraine.
   • Chancellor Merz promised continued long-term support for Ukraine.
   • Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov vowed that Russia will see the Ukraine war through.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Ukraine's drone campaign on election day, involving more than 1,600 drones in Moscow, caused the Kremlin to harden its negotiating position.
   • A territorial election commission chair was killed when her home was hit during the September 20 drone raids.
   • The meeting between Lavrov and Wadephul was driven by Russian security concerns.

   What to watch next

   • Official Russian responses to Chancellor Merz's claims regarding negotiation interest
   • Further diplomatic meetings between EU foreign policy officials and Russian representatives
   • Changes in Russian military or diplomatic posture following the State Duma elections
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. The New York Times — Russian Foreign Minister Vows Russia Will See Ukraine War Through
   2. The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: German foreign minister urges Russia to abandon dangerous escalation in rare meeting
   3. CNN — At UN, Russia and Germany’s top diplomats hold first talks since invasion of Ukraine
   4. Reuters — German foreign minister says Lavrov meeting driven by Russia security concerns
   5. politico.eu — Merz says Lavrov comments show Moscow not interested in serious negotiations
   6. Bloomberg.com — Merz Says Russia ‘Not at All Interested’ in Talks to End War
   7. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — EU Foreign Policy Chief: Russian Mockery Of UN Meeting Shows It's Not Interested In Ending Ukraine War
   8. sonar21.com — Moscow Closes the Door: How Putin and Lavrov Hardened Russia’s Line on Ukraine in Ten Days
   9. www.straitstimes.com — Russia not interested in serious talks to end Ukraine war
   10. www.europesays.com — Merz says Lavrov comments show Moscow not interested in ...
   11. www.pravda.com.ua — Merz says Russia is not interested in serious negotiations ...
   12. mezha.net — Merz Says Moscow Shows No Interest in Serious Ukraine Peace ...
   confidence 90%