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Germany Announces Measures Against Russia Over Leipzig Airport Drone Incident

From ThisDay · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Germany said it would close Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn, terminate the lease for the Russian House in Berlin and seek new EU sanctions over alleged hybrid attacks.
  • Berlin also plans tighter immigration controls for Russian nationals, increased pressure on Russia’s shadow fleet and additional intelligence measures.
  • Germany said it would continue supporting Ukraine and strengthening security and deterrence with NATO and European partners.

Germany is responding to what it calls a Russian hybrid attack involving drones at Leipzig Airport with a broad package of diplomatic and security measures. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the incident reflected a wider Russian campaign involving disinformation, threats, sabotage and aggression aimed at destabilising Europe.

Speaking alongside Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, Wadephul said Russia’s leadership was treating Germany with “blatant hostility.” He said Berlin wanted to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, restore peace in Europe and eventually rebuild constructive relations with Moscow, but accused Russia of showing no willingness to compromise.

blatant hostility

— Johann WadephulGermany’s foreign minister described Russia’s treatment of Germany while announcing Berlin’s response.

“On the contrary, with the attempted attack in Leipzig, Russia’s leadership has instead made a conscious decision to inflict further significant damage on our bilateral relations, which are already under tremendous strain,” Wadephul said.

On the contrary, with the attempted attack in Leipzig, Russia’s leadership has instead made a conscious decision to inflict further significant damage on our bilateral relations, which are already under tremendous strain.

— Johann WadephulWadephul said the Leipzig incident had further damaged already strained German-Russian relations.

The measures include closing Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn from September 18 and ending the lease for the Russian House in Berlin. Germany will also propose new European Union sanctions against Russian individuals linked to hybrid attacks, tighten immigration controls for Russian nationals and increase pressure on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. Berlin plans additional intelligence measures as well.

Germany has ordered the Russian ambassador to be summoned and notified of Berlin’s position. Wadephul said Germany would work with NATO and EU partners to strengthen collective security and defence capabilities, while continuing civilian and military support for Ukraine. “We will not allow ourselves to be divided in our social cohesion or be intimidated by Russia’s attacks,” he said. The Leipzig/Halle Airport incident comes amid increasingly tense relations following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and wider European concerns about Russian activities below the threshold of conventional conflict.

We will not allow ourselves to be divided in our social cohesion or be intimidated by Russia’s attacks.

— Johann WadephulThe foreign minister said Germany would resist intimidation and efforts to undermine domestic cohesion.
About this summary

Originally published by ThisDay. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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