World News for Students of English

02-10-2026 07:00

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a brief 20-minute meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

This marked the first direct diplomatic encounter between top German and Russian officials since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.

The meeting took place despite escalating tensions, following German accusations that Russia orchestrated a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport. During the talks, Wadephul urged Moscow to abandon its dangerous path of escalation toward Germany, Europe, and NATO. While Lavrov downplayed the event’s importance and claimed Germany made no position changes, diplomats noted the symbolic weight of reopening a direct channel. Both sides disputed who initiated the exchange.

Despite Germany’s primary role as a strategic supporter of Ukraine rather than a mediator, the meeting reflects broader shifts in diplomatic discussions as international leaders search for ways toward future negotiations.

Difficult words: sideline (a place or occasion outside the main event where unofficial talks happen), orchestrate (to plan and organize a complex event or secret action carefully), downplay (to make something seem less important, serious, or bad than it actually is).

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