German and Russian foreign ministers meet for first time since Ukraine war

The diplomatic leaders of Germany and Russia met for the first time since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, AFP news agency reported.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Johan Badeful, who are visiting New York to attend a high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly, met at the United Nations headquarters on the 26th (local time) to discuss pending issues between the two countries.

The meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers was the first since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Minister Lavrov last met with then-German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbork in January 2022, just before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

Direct flights between Russia and Germany were all suspended after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, and direct exchanges between the two countries were virtually cut off.

The meeting was held at a time when tensions between the two countries have risen sharply in recent weeks, with Germany pointing out Russia as the mastermind behind the drone attack at Leipzig Airport and the two countries closing each other's consulates.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that the meeting was held at the request of Germany, and that Germany restricted media access ahead of the meeting and requested that no remarks be recorded at the meeting.

It was not immediately confirmed what issues the two sides discussed that day, but AFP observed that it was highly likely that the Ukraine issue, including discussions on the end of the war, was the main agenda.