Germany says Russia still unwilling to negotiate end to Ukraine war after Lavrov talks

Berlin ​said on ​Monday that its ‌first direct ​talks with Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion ‌of Ukraine showed the two sides remain "miles apart" and that Russia is still ‌unwilling to engage in serious negotiations to ‌end the war. "Our positions were, of course, miles apart, a fact that has once ⁠again ​become ⁠apparent," a foreign ministry spokesperson said, two days ⁠after a meeting between German Foreign ​Minister Johann Wadephul and Russian counterpart Sergei ⁠Lavrov on the sidelines of the United ⁠Nations ​General Assembly.

The spokesperson added that the talks had reinforced Berlin's conclusion ⁠that Moscow remains unwilling to negotiate either ⁠a ⁠ceasefire or an end to the war in Ukraine.