Johann Wadephul, the German Foreign Minister, unexpectedly met with Sergey Lavrov, his Russian counterpart, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This approximately 20-minute conversation was the first bilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries after years.
Essential Dialogue on the Ukraine War
Wadephul noted in an interview with German television (ARD) that this meeting took place due to mediation by third parties, and many of his colleagues from other countries had advised him to engage in dialogue with Russia. The content of this discussion included the consequences of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and the issue of grain exports from the two countries. He pointed out the need for countries like Egypt for grain, stating: "They are in dire need of such supplies, and there is a risk of famine there."
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Diplomatic Dialogue and Support for Ukraine
Another issue that Wadephul mentioned was the drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport. He told Lavrov: "This action crossed a red line, and we expect such an event not to happen again." The German Foreign Minister also emphasized his country's unwavering support for Ukraine, stating that there is no justification for the war. He expressed: "This war takes countless victims, including Russian victims, but above all, it is the civilians of Ukraine who suffer the most."
Wadephul noted that Russia is currently not prepared to end the war, stating: "Nevertheless, I believe it is right for us to engage in dialogue. This is also the duty of foreign ministries and diplomacy." He did not view the acceptance of dialogue with Lavrov as a sign of a change in Germany's foreign policy and emphasized support for international laws.
In conclusion, the German Foreign Minister stated that even if this dialogue does not yield positive results, it has still been beneficial. He responded to those calling for negotiations with Russia: "We are doing just that, but unfortunately, at this moment, Russia shows no readiness to take a constructive stance in negotiations."
This conversation between the two countries was the first at the level of foreign ministers since the war began in February 2022. Wadephul traveled to New York representing Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, and in his speech, he addressed the dangers posed by the development of artificial intelligence and emphasized the need for international cooperation in this area.
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