CDU foreign policy politician Roderich Kiesewetter criticized the meeting between Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in New York. Speaking to the FAZ, Kiesewetter stated that he viewed the meeting very critically, suggesting that a phone call would have been wiser afterward, as “the result remains the same.” He added that the argument of being willing to communicate with Russia is now being used again for domestic political reasons. However, Kiesewetter argued that this only provides a short-term, self-therapeutic benefit to those who believe negotiations with Russia are possible-a belief that Lavrov has consistently ridiculed.
The CDU politician further told the FAZ that neither Ukraine nor German security benefited from the encounter. On the contrary, the countries situated between Germany and Russia experienced the “old nightmare” of communication between Germany and Russia taking place over their heads and past Ukraine. The meeting left the impression of a ‘German special path.’ Kiesewetter concluded that German foreign policy achieved “nothing except false hope and confusion.”
In contrast, SPD foreign policy politician Ralf Stegner praised the meeting. Stegner told the FAZ that the signal sent is that “the Europeans are still here.” While acknowledging that no immediate concessions would likely arise from such an initial discussion, he stressed the importance of not leaving diplomacy entirely to the United States. Stegner also highlighted the domestic significance of the conversation, asserting that such issues should not be left solely to the BSW or the AfD. Furthermore, he noted that the invitation of Putin to the G20 Summit by President Donald Trump in December could itself be an opportunity.
