Summary

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met his German counterpart Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, their countries’ first talks at foreign minister level since before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the German side had requested the talks and that the ministers discussed bilateral relations and the war in Ukraine. “On these and other issues, Johann Wadephul reaffirmed the German government’s position, which has been stated publicly on numerous occasions,” the ministry said. The meeting came amid renewed tensions between the two countries after Germany accused Russia of attempting to blow up two cargo planes at Leipzig airport in August using a drone rigged with explosives. Wadephul told the UN Security Council this week that German support for Ukraine remained firm and called for a ceasefire and negotiations toward a lasting peace. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed the German side had sought restrictions on media access to Saturday’s meeting, including a ban on questions and audio recordings of the opening remarks. Lavrov last met a German foreign minister in January 2022, when he held talks with Wadephul’s predecessor Annalena Baerbock weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Remind me later.