Merz Says Russia ‘Not at All Interested’ in Talks to End War

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said talks between the top envoys of Germany and Russia showed that the Kremlin has no interest in ending its war in Ukraine.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. Lavrov later dismissed the 20-minute unscheduled meeting.

“Russia’s assessment of this discussion shows that it’s obviously not at all interested in serious talks,” Merz told reporters in Berlin on Tuesday after meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He said Germany will turn its focus to supporting Ukraine in its defense against the full-scale Russian invasion.

Germany’s relations with Russia have deteriorated further this year, with Berlin accusing Moscow of being hind a failed drone attack an at airport in Leipzig in August. Wadephul announced the closure of Russia’s consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. Russia responded by announcing the closure of branches of Germany’s Goethe Institut.

The German leader reiterated his view that Russia will not be victorious, while paying a “price” as it sustains “massive” economic damage.