# Russian diplomatic activity at UN General Assembly

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-diplomatic-activity-at-un-general-assembly
> Updated: 2026-09-26T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 111. Developments: 2.

During the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov engaged in various high-level bilateral meetings. Lavrov met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to present a Russian report regarding events in Bucha, demanding a detailed investigation. He also discussed the security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi. Lavrov held discussions with representatives from India, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Brazil concerning Middle East stability, UN coordination, and non-interference in domestic elections.

In a significant diplomatic development, Lavrov held a bilateral meeting with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul. This encounter marked the first meeting between the two officials in over four years and the first direct contact between the two nations since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The meeting, which lasted approximately 20 to 30 minutes, did not result in a diplomatic breakthrough, as both sides remained deeply divided.

Wadephul used the encounter to warn Russia against continuing a “dangerous path of escalation” toward Germany, Europe, and NATO, stating that Germany is prepared to defend itself and retaliate. He also emphasized the need for Russia to facilitate grain exports via the Black Sea to prevent food shortages in the Global South and addressed recent hybrid tensions, including a suspected drone attack on a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle airport. 

In response, Lavrov dismissed the exchange as unproductive, stating that the German minister merely repeated official public positions. He accused Germany of being a primary financier for Ukraine and attempting to become a leading military power in Europe. Lavrov further questioned if Berlin had learned lessons from World War II and affirmed that Russia would veto attempts by Germany and Japan to secure permanent seats on the UN Security Council.

## Claims

- Sergey Lavrov described the meeting as unnecessary and stated he saw no progress compared to previous discussions. (disputed by 13 sources)
- Vladimir Putin stated that Russia is not preparing for military actions against Europe. (disputed)
- Sergei Lavrov stated that Wadephul read from a prepared text that merely repeated Germany's official public positions. (disputed)
- This was the first direct meeting between the Russian and German foreign ministers since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. (corroborated by 25 sources)
- The meeting took place in New York on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- Johann Wadephul called on Russia to abandon its dangerous path of escalation against Germany, Europe, and NATO. (corroborated by 15 sources)
- The meeting was held at the initiative of the German side, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova. (corroborated by 12 sources)
- The meeting lasted approximately 20 minutes. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Russia to abandon the dangerous path of escalation against Germany, Europe, and NATO. (corroborated by 9 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-26: Germany and Russia hold first foreign minister talks since 2022 invasion

German and Russian foreign ministers held their first direct talks since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine in New York, with both sides exchanging sharp criticisms over the war and European security.

108 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sergey-lavrov-meets-german-foreign-minister-johann-wadephul-at-un

### 2026-09-23: Sergei Lavrov conducts series of bilateral meetings at UN General Assembly

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held multiple bilateral meetings at the UN, delivering a report on Bucha to the UN Chief and discussing nuclear security and regional diplomacy with global leaders.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sergey-lavrov-meets-un-and-iaea-leaders-in-new-york

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Cite as: Russian diplomatic activity at UN General Assembly. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-diplomatic-activity-at-un-general-assembly