German Foreign Minister Says Lavrov Talks Were Driven by Security Fears and Food Crisis

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said his decision to sit down with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov was driven by security worries and a growing food export crisis. The two met in New York on Saturday, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It was the first such meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Relations between Moscow and Berlin, a close ally of Ukraine, have been frozen since then, and Wadephul said that diplomatic silence had been necessary.

Drones at Leipzig Airport Crossed a Line

Wadephul said Russia’s alleged deployment of armed drones at Leipzig airport had crossed a line and made it necessary to tell Moscow directly that Germany is ready to defend itself. “Russia has to understand that we are ready to resist,” he said in an interview with ARD.

Black Sea Grain Exports and Famine Risk

The second reason was the push to revive Black Sea grain and energy exports, which attacks on vessels and port infrastructure have sharply reduced. Wadephul said several colleagues, especially from the Global South, asked him to speak with Russia. He warned of a threat of famine and said he is pushing for a ceasefire in the Black Sea.