Germany warns Russia against hybrid attacks and further escalation
Johann Wadephul (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called on Russia to stop hybrid attacks and refrain from further escalation against Germany, Europe, and NATO.
Wadephul's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York and lasted just 20 minutes.
The delegation says the German foreign minister stressed that attempts to carry out hybrid attacks—including an attempted attack in Leipzig, which Berlin believes was the work of Russia's military intelligence agency—would not shake Germany's resolve to support Ukraine.
Minister Wadephul emphasized that such actions only worsen bilateral relations between the two countries.
At the same time, he noted that a return to constructive dialogue would be possible if Russia ended its war against Ukraine, which violates international law.
However, Moscow currently shows no genuine willingness to compromise.
Germany initiated the talks amid European efforts to regain its role in resolving the war.
These were the first direct talks between the German and Russian foreign ministers since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Following those talks, it became known that the United States had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the upcoming G20 summit in Miami.
As reported, the German government has repeatedly warned Moscow against hybrid attacks.
Earlier, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a UN Security Council meeting that Russia's hybrid attacks against European countries had reached a new level.
According to him, the Kremlin's aggression is primarily directed against countries that support Ukraine and uphold international law.
Simultaneously, Russia continues to put forward its own demands on the international stage.
For example, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made demands of the United States regarding Venezuela and Iran.
In particular, the Kremlin demands that Washington release Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and stop killing representatives of the Iranian regime.
