Germany's foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, according to multiple outlets. Officials from both sides confirmed the talks took place, per The Straits Times.
The meeting is believed to be the first such one-on-one talks between the two countries' top diplomats since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to Deutsche Welle and The Washington Times.
According to Arab News, the German minister called for de-escalation during the meeting, while Lavrov later defended the war in a speech to the assembly. The Washington Times reported that the meeting came as tensions between the European Union and Russia had risen.
Details of what was discussed beyond these points were not specified across the supplied reports.
How each side covered it
Left
- Associated Press reported the meeting as a rare, first-of-its-kind encounter at the UN.
“German, Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at UN” — Associated Press
Center
- Arab News reported the German minister called for de-escalation while Lavrov later defended the war in a speech.
- The Straits Times confirmed the meeting via officials from both sides, describing it as the first such talks since before the 2022 invasion.
- Deutsche Welle noted it was the first meeting between the two ministers since the February 2022 invasion.
“The German minister reportedly called for de-escalation, while his Russian counterpart later defended the war in a speech.” — Arab News
Right
- The Washington Times noted the meeting came amid rising EU-Russia tensions and just before Lavrov's address to world leaders.
- Newsmax reported the meeting under a similar headline emphasizing its rarity.
“The meeting came as tensions between the European Union and Russia rose - and just before Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed world leaders.” — The Washington Times
Questions readers ask
What happened at the UN between Germany and Russia?
Germany's foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, and Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, held a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Saturday, according to multiple outlets.
Why is this meeting significant?
It is believed to be the first such direct talks between the German and Russian foreign ministers since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, per Deutsche Welle and The Washington Times.
What did Germany and Russia say during the meeting?
According to Arab News, Germany's minister called for de-escalation, while Lavrov later defended the war in a speech to world leaders at the assembly.
What did left-, center-, and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Coverage across the spectrum largely reported the same core facts; center outlets like Arab News and The Washington Times added detail on the ministers' statements and the context of rising EU-Russia tensions.
Sources · 13 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaningGerman, Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at UN
- BloombergLeft-leaningRussia Says Lavrov Met With German Foreign Minister Wadephul
- PBS NewsHourLeft-leaningGerman and Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at United Nations General Assembly
- Arab NewsCenterGerman, Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at UN
- Deutsche WelleCenterGermany's FM Wadephul meets Lavrov on UNGA sidelines
- Financial TimesCenterGerman and Russian foreign ministers meet for first time in over four years
- ReutersCenterAt UN, Russia and Germany's top diplomats hold first talks since 2022
- The HillCenterGerman, Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at UN
- The Straits TimesCenterAt UN, Russia and Germany's top diplomats hold first talks since 2022
- Independent Journal ReviewRight-leaningGermany, Russia Hold First Talks Since Ukraine Invasion
- NewsmaxRight-leaningGerman, Russian Foreign Ministers Have Rare Meeting at UN
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaningRussia, Germany's top diplomats hold first talks since 2022 at UN
- The Washington TimesRight-leaningGerman, Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at U.N.