Russia and Germany hold first diplomatic talks since Ukraine invasion

Russian and German foreign ministers held their first bilateral talks since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine during the UN General Assembly in New York. The discussions focused on bilateral relations and the ongoing conflict. German Foreign Minister Johann Vandevoll urged Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to facilitate an agreement regarding Black Sea grain exports to address global food insecurity. Lavrov noted that Russia is engaged in discussions with India, Egypt, and Turkey regarding safe maritime passage proposals.

Separately, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the United States and Russia to begin negotiations for a new nuclear arms control agreement. This follows the impending expiration of the New START treaty in February 2026. Guterres warned that the lack of mandatory limits on strategic nuclear arsenals, combined with modern technological developments, increases the risk of miscalculation and global instability.