European ministers

Germany's foreign minister met with her Russian counterpart in a rare face-to-face encounter, urging Moscow to abandon what she called a dangerous escalation of the war in Ukraine. The meeting stands out given the near-total breakdown of direct diplomatic contact between Berlin and Moscow since Russia's full-scale invasion, and it signals continued European efforts to keep channels open even as fighting intensifies.

The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Germany held talks focused on ways to increase pressure on Russia amid the ongoing war. The discussion comes as Kyiv continues seeking stronger backing from European partners, including tighter sanctions and sustained military and political support against Moscow's invasion.

Poland's deputy defence minister says the country is ready to host a Patriot missile factory for Ukraine, should Kyiv secure the necessary agreements. The statement, reported by Agenzia Nova, signals Poland's willingness to expand defence-industrial cooperation to support Ukraine's war effort against Russia and strengthen NATO's eastern flank.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for the creation of a new Eurasian 'security architecture', speaking in remarks reported by UN News. The proposal signals Moscow's push to reshape regional security arrangements beyond existing Western-led frameworks. The appeal has drawn attention given the ongoing war in Ukraine and debates over the future of European and Asian security order.

European ministers meeting on migration policy are discussing stronger border controls and accelerated procedures for returning migrants whose asylum claims are rejected. The talks reflect mounting political pressure across the bloc to curb irregular arrivals and speed up deportations, an issue that has divided member states and featured prominently in recent European election campaigns. Details of any concrete agreement were not immediately available.

EU interior ministers are gathering in Munich to discuss a further tightening of the bloc's migration policy. For the second year running, the city is hosting the summit, which is opposed by both far-left and far-right activists and politicians, with protests expected around the meeting. The talks come as migration remains one of the most divisive issues in European politics.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt is hosting talks with EU counterparts in Berlin aimed at tightening the European migration pact. The discussions focus on strengthening border controls and speeding up asylum procedures under the EU's shared migration framework. Germany's push for a harder line on migration has drawn attention across Europe, with officials weighing how far the pact can be enforced more strictly.

The foreign ministers of Russia and Germany met in New York on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, in the first talks between the two countries at this level since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The meeting marks a notable diplomatic opening between Moscow and a key European power, and observers are watching closely for what it signals about the future of Russia-Europe relations and the war in Ukraine.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov for about 20 minutes at the United Nations, urging Moscow to halt hybrid attacks and further escalation against Germany, Europe and NATO. The German delegation said Wadephul cited an attempted attack in Leipzig as an example of Russian hostile activity. The meeting marks a rare direct exchange between the two governments at a time of heightened tensions over sabotage, disinformation and the war in Ukraine.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul briefed Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha by phone about his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Kyiv stressed being kept informed of any contacts involving Moscow. The call comes as European capitals closely monitor diplomatic exchanges with Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine.