Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly (Photo: Reuters).
Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and German foreign minister Johann Wadephul met in New York on Saturday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, marking the first talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers since before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Because of food shortages in several countries, particularly in the Global South, he stressed that time was critical.
Wadephul used the meeting to urge Lavrov to do “everything possible” to reach an agreement on grain exports through the Black Sea, according to a German delegation source. He said a pragmatic solution on Black Sea exports could pave the way for further concrete steps, the German delegation said. Lavrov said Russia had discussed proposals for ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea with India, Egypt and Turkey. He said Moscow believed separate discussions with Ukraine were also necessary, while accusing Kyiv of attacks on vessels. Ukraine has said it is open to agreements and has blamed Russia for the consequences of the war. Lavrov said he had learned nothing new from Wadephul that Berlin had not already stated publicly. He said incidents such as the alleged Leipzig airport attack would not weaken Germany’s resolve to support Ukraine.
The German minister also called for an immediate and complete ceasefire in Ukraine, with a focus on protecting grain exports and energy infrastructure. The meeting offered little sign of a broader thaw in bilateral relations. Wadephul also reiterated Germany’s position on Russia’s war in Ukraine and urged Moscow to abandon what he called a dangerous path of escalation towards Germany, Europe and NATO.