German foreign minister briefs Ukraine on details of meeting with Russian counterpart

What Happened

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X that German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul briefed him by phone about Wadephul's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Sybiha said Wadephul conveyed Kyiv's positions to Lavrov: that Moscow must end its war, that Germany's support for Ukraine remains unwavering, and that Russia should be warned against further hostile actions against Europe. Sybiha added the two ministers discussed joint steps to advance peace efforts and achieve a ceasefire, increase pressure on Russia, and strengthen Ukraine's resilience ahead of winter. The German-Russian meeting was the first at foreign-minister level since 2022, according to media reports; Wadephul reportedly urged Russia to 'abandon its dangerous course of escalation towards Germany, Europe and NATO'. Separately, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Lavrov had complained to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Ukrainian strikes on targets in Russia.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The phone call and meeting signal an attempt by Germany to keep diplomatic channels with Moscow open while maintaining support for Kyiv, at a moment when US-Russia contacts have also resumed at foreign-minister level. Germany is a leading European NATO member and donor to Ukraine, and the first direct German-Russian foreign-minister contact since 2022 could shape Western coordination on ceasefire proposals, pressure tactics, and winter assistance.

Watch For

Watch whether the joint next steps mentioned by Sybiha and Wadephul produce any formal ceasefire initiative or follow-up diplomatic meeting, and whether the Russian Foreign Ministry releases further details on the Lavrov-Rubio conversation on 23 September. Also monitor German statements on increased military or financial support for Ukraine before winter and any Russian response to the warnings Germany conveyed.