German foreign minister Wadephul meets Russian counterpart Lavrov in New York

Direct ministerial contact in New York

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on 26 September 2026 in New York. The bilateral talks took place on the sidelines of the United Nations General Debate in a Russian delegation meeting room inside the UN building. The encounter represents the first direct bilateral dialogue between the foreign ministers of Germany and Russia since the beginning of Russia's full invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Although German and Russian government representatives previously took part in multilateral international gatherings together, direct bilateral exchanges at the foreign minister level had not occurred during that interval. Both ministers were present in New York specifically to participate in the annual UN General Debate proceedings.

Disputed initiative and agenda details

Procedural details surrounding the arrangement of the bilateral session generated differing accounts. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova told the Russian state news agency TASS that the meeting was held at the direct request and initiative of the German side. German government representatives provided no public confirmation regarding who requested the meeting, and initial reports contained no details on the precise duration or agreed agenda. The discussion occurred against the background of continuing international efforts to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, though neither delegation held an immediate joint press conference following the talks.

Diplomatic stance on G20 negotiations

The New York meeting followed remarks made by Wadephul during an official visit to Ottawa, where he held a joint press conference with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Wadephul addressed United States President Donald Trump's invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming G20 summit, characterizing the offer as an opportunity for diplomatic progress that should be tested.

“Repeatedly we have asked the Russian government and Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiation table. And if it is a possibility, then perhaps it would be at least a start to serious negotiations.”

Wadephul added that the prerequisite for meaningful negotiations would be the implementation of an active ceasefire during talks. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said she was surprised by the invitation extended to Putin, but stated that Canadian officials would participate regardless because direct attendance reflects standard diplomatic engagement.

Coordination within the German government

Wadephul's engagement with Russian officials diverged from statements issued by Chancellor Friedrich Merz's office earlier in the week. Stefan Kornelius, the spokesperson for Chancellor Merz, stated that the German government does not view relations with Russia as business as usual, adding that Berlin continues to coordinate its position jointly with allied partners. The German Foreign Ministry did not immediately issue a public response regarding differences between Wadephul's statements and the chancellery. The invitation from Washington forms part of a broader push to reintegrate Moscow into international diplomatic forums, potentially facilitating Putin's first in-person G20 appearance since 2019.