Germany just broke its silence with Russia after four and a half years
5 days ago · 26 September 2026Share
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva, Switzerland, on January 21, 2022. File photo. U.S. Department of State from United States · Public domain
Russia and Germany just sat down together for the first time in four and a half years.
Sergei Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, met Johann Wadephul, Germany's Foreign Minister, less than an hour ago. It happened on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
And here's the thing. Germany asked for this meeting. Not Russia.
That's according to Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry. Her message is simple: Berlin asked, and Moscow said yes.
So where did they talk? In a meeting room inside the UN building, provided by the Russian delegation.
The talks lasted a little more than 20 minutes. They ended with a handshake. Johann Wadephul walked out and declined to comment on what was said.
So Germany went to Russia. Not the other way round.
Think about how long it's been. The last time a German foreign minister sat down with Sergei Lavrov was January 2022. Annalena Baerbock held the job then. That was weeks before Russian forces crossed into Ukraine. Direct flights between the two countries have been grounded ever since.
And this meeting was closed to media. Germany asked for restricted access. Germany asked for the opening remarks not to be recorded. That's according to Zakharova.
Here's why that matters. Just days ago, Johann Wadephul accused Vladimir Putin, Russia's President, of escalating aggression against Europe. He said Russia's hybrid attacks on the countries backing Ukraine and international law have reached a new level.
And Germany has reasons to say that.
The rest of this story is for members.
Shore of the East River with Headquarters of the United Nations, New York City. File photo. Jakub Hałun · CC BY 4.0
About seven weeks ago, an explosive-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport overnight. About four weeks ago, Germany's government formally blamed Russia for that attempted attack.
So what did Germany do? It closed Russia's consulate general in Bonn about a week ago. That was Russia's last remaining consulate in the country.
Russia hit back. It ordered Germany's consulate in St Petersburg to close by the same date.
Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's Deputy Security Council Chairman, said a few days ago that Germany deserved to be punished for what he called its anti-Russian policies. He pointed to strikes on German defence contractors that supply weapons to Ukraine.
So picture the two men walking into that room. A closed consulate each. A drone attack sitting between them.
And twenty minutes later, they walked out having said nothing about what was actually discussed.
Nobody has a readout of the topics raised. Nobody has a readout of any positions taken. Johann Wadephul has not said whether the meeting achieved anything. Russia has not said what it wants from Germany, beyond confirming that Germany asked to talk.
So why did Germany ask? Neither side has said.
It could be pressure from elsewhere in Europe to find a diplomatic route out of the war. It could be preparation for talks that haven't been announced yet. Nobody is saying which.
The meeting happened at the UN General Assembly, where Sergei Lavrov and Ukraine's leadership are both there this week.
Four and a half years without a single conversation between these two countries. It just ended in a room neither side would let anyone else into.
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