German, Russian FMs Hold Rare Talks at UN Amid Tensions

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the first such talks since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Wadephul urged Russia to abandon its "dangerous path of escalation" and to enable Black Sea grain exports. Lavrov dismissed the talks as offering "nothing new" and accused Germany of being Ukraine's main sponsor.