German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has defended shaking hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, describing the interaction as a standard act of civility between diplomats.
Speaking to German news portal T-online, Wadephul explained that diplomatic politeness should not be abandoned simply because an official is meeting with someone who holds fundamentally different values.
Wadephul said civility was not something to give up just because a counterpart maintained entirely contrasting views. He noted that the primary role of a foreign minister was precisely to conduct dialogue, including talks that might be unappealing to some observers.
The discussion between the two foreign ministers took place on 26 September at the United Nations headquarters. The meeting was arranged on the initiative of the German side and was held behind closed doors, lasting for approximately 20 minutes.
Diplomatic Engagement
The encounter represented a rare face-to-face interaction between top diplomats from Berlin and Moscow since the escalation of international tensions. Wadephul's willingness to hold the brief meeting reflects the complex diplomatic balancing act facing European foreign ministers during global crises.
Johann Wadephul serves as the foreign minister of Germany, directing the country's foreign policy and international relations. Sergey Lavrov is the long-serving foreign minister of Russia, representing Moscow's diplomatic interests across international assemblies and bilateral summits.
The United Nations headquarters in New York City serves as the primary international venue for multilateral diplomacy, where representatives from member states routinely gather for bilateral talks during annual sessions.
Peace Negotiations and Strategy
The source also noted previous statements made by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding peace negotiations with Ukraine. Putin stated that Moscow would make decisions concerning the continuation of any peace talks based strictly on its own strategic interests.
The decision by the German foreign ministry to request the meeting highlights ongoing efforts to maintain direct diplomatic channels despite severe international disagreements. Further details regarding specific subjects discussed during the 20-minute session were not disclosed.
