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German and Russian foreign ministers hold first talks since 2022 invasion of Ukraine

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in what marks the first direct diplomatic engagement between Germany and Russia since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. The meeting represents a significant shift in bilateral relations that have been severely strained since the war began, with Germany remaining one of Ukraine's strongest supporters in Europe.

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This encounter marked the first direct diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The meeting signals a notable change in relations between the two countries, which have been almost completely severed at the diplomatic level since the war began. Germany has positioned itself among Europe's most vocal supporters of Ukraine, providing significant military and financial assistance to Kyiv. Although the specific details of their discussion remain undisclosed, this encounter suggests at least a limited resumption of high-level contact between Germany and Russia amid the ongoing conflict.

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