Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Europe of actively working to undermine peace negotiations concerning the conflict in Ukraine, asserting that Moscow remains committed to achieving its objectives.
Speaking at the United Nations, Lavrov stated, "Europe is doing everything it can to thwart peace talks in which the Trump administration is interested." He further declared, "The aims of the special military operation will be achieved, the threat to Russian security will be eliminated and peaceful life will come back. This will happen no matter the circumstances," employing Russia's official terminology for the ongoing war.
The remarks followed a meeting between Lavrov and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, the first such encounter between the two nations' top diplomats since the conflict began. Tensions between Germany and Russia have escalated recently, with Germany alleging Russian orchestration of a drone attack on Leipzig airport and both countries ordering the closure of consulates.
A German diplomat conveyed that Wadephul urged Russia to abandon its "dangerous path of escalation," emphasizing that incidents like the Leipzig attack would not deter Germany's support for Ukraine. Lavrov's last meeting with a German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, occurred in January 2022, prior to Russia's full-scale invasion. Germany is a principal ally of Kyiv, and Lavrov, known for his staunchly anti-Western stance, has previously accused Germany of "wanting war again."
European nations, including Germany, have recently voiced concerns over increased Russian sabotage activities on their territories. Direct flights between Russia and Germany have been suspended since the invasion. According to the German diplomat, the Saturday meeting, initiated by Berlin and lasting approximately 20 minutes, was dominated by discussions on Ukraine. The diplomat added that Germany's foreign minister condemned Russia's "ongoing and increasingly targeted aggression against the Ukrainian civilian population," asserting that attempts to increase pressure would not alter Russia's "untenable situation."
Separately, Lavrov also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and the broader Gulf region at the UN, stating Russia's readiness to contribute to stabilization efforts. "We need trust in the relationships between the Gulf states, the Arab states, and Iran. We need stable regional architecture," Lavrov told leaders, adding, "Russia, together with other responsible states, stands ready to constructively contribute to stabilizing this strategically important region."
