Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul Meets Russian Counterpart Sergey Lavrov at UNGA

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, marking the first such meeting since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The meeting occurred during the ongoing UNGA debate, which runs from September 22 to 28, 2026. Wadephul used his speech at the assembly to address the threat of artificial intelligence, call for urgent UN reforms, and criticize Russia for its actions in Ukraine. He described the meeting with Lavrov as an 'intense conversation' that underscored the significant disagreements between the two nations. Lavrov stated that the meeting was unnecessary and claimed no new information was presented by Wadephul. The discussions come amid rising tensions, particularly following Germany's accusation that Russia orchestrated a drone attack on Leipzig airport. Wadephul emphasized that Germany does not accept such incidents and warned Russia against further escalation. He reiterated Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine and called for Russia to engage in negotiations. In addition to the discussions between Germany and Russia, foreign ministers from India and Saudi Arabia also addressed the assembly, urging de-escalation in the Middle East and the protection of maritime navigation. Wadephul's speech highlighted the impact of Russia's actions on global grain supplies and the importance of international cooperation in addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and the erosion of UN institutions. He called for a reformed UN that actively engages in conflict resolution. Lavrov, in his address, criticized European nations for obstructing peace talks regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The meeting between Wadephul and Lavrov was reported to have been initiated by the German side, and it took place amidst a backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries.