Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has rejected Germany's call for Moscow to step back from what Berlin described as a “dangerous path of escalation” toward Germany, Europe and NATO.
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, Lavrov accused Germany of being Ukraine's main sponsor and seeking to become a leading military power in Europe.
“Does Berlin understand what this could lead to?” Lavrov said, referring to Germany's position. He also invoked the lessons of World War II.
His remarks came shortly after he met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on the sidelines of the General Assembly meeting, reportedly the first meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Lavrov later described the meeting, which was requested by Wadephul, as producing nothing new, saying the German minister had simply repeated Berlin's publicly stated position condemning Russia.
According to a German delegation official, Wadephul urged Russia to abandon its “dangerous path of escalation” and expressed readiness for improved relations if Moscow showed a genuine willingness to end the war in Ukraine.
Tensions between Russia and Germany have increased in recent weeks following an alleged drone incident at Leipzig airport, which Germany has blamed on Russia, and subsequent reciprocal measures between the two countries.
Lavrov also criticized efforts by Germany and Japan to obtain permanent seats on the UN Security Council, making clear that Russia would oppose such attempts.
He also criticized Japan's security policies and what he described as the militarisation of the country.
Japan's Deputy UN Ambassador Mikanagi Tomohiro rejected Lavrov's characterization, saying Japan is a peace-loving country and that freedom, democracy and fundamental human rights remain the basis of its decisions and actions.
On the Ukraine war, Lavrov accused Western countries of seeking Russia's “strategic defeat” and said such efforts would lead to a strategic dead end.
He said Russia remains ready to return to what Moscow considers an agreement reached during the August 2025 meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Lavrov also accused the United States of undermining Europe's security system and creating what he called a “Russophobic regime” in Kyiv.
Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Wadephul told the General Assembly that Russia's war in Ukraine was harming millions of civilians, Ukrainian statehood and culture, as well as European security, and urged Moscow to negotiate an end to the conflict.
Lavrov's UN appearance came amid continued intensification of the aerial war between Russia and Ukraine.
Russian forces have continued missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces have carried out long-range drone strikes against targets inside Russia, including oil facilities and businesses.
Ukrainian authorities said Russian attacks killed four people on Saturday, while Russian authorities reported three deaths from a Ukrainian drone attack.
The war has also continued to affect global energy, fertilizer and grain supplies while deepening divisions between Russia and Western countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged international partners to maintain pressure on Moscow and prevent the conflict from spreading.
He said the United States was seeking technical-level talks involving delegations from the United States, Ukraine and Russia, with Kyiv awaiting Washington's proposal for a date.