Wadephul and Merz’s position — Lavrov’s response

The opening explains who Wadephul and Lavrov are, their meeting in New York and its roughly 20-minute duration. Asked about Lavrov’s dismissive assessment, Wadephul describes sharp disagreements but defends talking and reiterating Germany’s position. Merz outlines a ceasefire first, territorial talks without recognizing Russian occupation, and continued support for Ukraine’s defense. Zakharova introduces Lavrov’s press conference. A dpa reporter asks what he told Wadephul and about German–Russian relations. Lavrov says Wadephul read familiar positions from notes, delivers his “read my speech” criticism, cites earlier agreements he alleges Germany and France failed to honor, and says Russia is ready to return to what he calls the Anchorage agreement. The last excerpt does not explain its terms. Edited comparison: Merz spoke on 13 August 2025, Wadephul and Lavrov on 26 September 2026; they are not a continuous exchange or a direct reply to Merz’s specific proposal.

Aug 15, 2025

Lavrov says Russia accepted U.S.-proposed Anchorage principles as a basis for further Ukraine work. He accuses European leaders of discouraging Trump and says Ukraine refused the understandings. His interpretation of the summit's results is attributed and does not establish a finalized peace agreement. At Valdai on October 1, Putin says he came to Anchorage accepting US proposals after initially asking for time to think, but that the American side then said it needed to think. In a final follow-up he describes his acceptance as a change in Russia’s position. This more unsettled account of the American response remains alongside Lavrov’s September 26 characterization of accepted principles or understandings and his accusations of European and Ukrainian obstruction. Neither source supplies a finalized peace agreement.