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Germany prepares for a ‘second historic turning point’ and a tough Russian response
🇱🇹 Lithuania /Conflict & Security

Germany prepares for a ‘second historic turning point’ and a tough Russian response

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Germany is coordinating with the EU and NATO on a response to a drone carrying explosives and a detonator found near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig-Halle Airport on Aug. 4.
  • German media, citing sources, reported that Chancellor Friedrich Merz could accuse Russia of responsibility and announce new sanctions, potentially including stronger measures or increased weapons supplies to Ukraine.
  • Merz also defended a planned increase in the Bundeswehr budget from 82 billion euros in 2026 to 153 billion euros in 2028.

Germany is preparing for what sources described as “Zeitenwende 2.0,” a new rupture in its approach to Russia, after a drone carrying explosives was found at Leipzig-Halle Airport near a Ukrainian cargo plane.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Berlin’s response was being finalized with European Union and NATO partners. The federal prosecutor’s office took over the investigation into the Aug. 4 incident and classified it as a serious attack on Germany’s transport and logistics infrastructure. The government has not yet formally confirmed who organized it, although Russia is suspected.

German outlet Welt am Sonntag and Politico, citing sources, reported that Merz was expected to assign responsibility to Moscow in the coming days and announce new sanctions. The proposed package would combine German measures with additional EU sanctions being prepared in Brussels. According to one source, expelling individual Russian diplomats or closing the Russian House in Berlin would no longer be considered an adequate response. Stronger sanctions or increased arms deliveries to Ukraine were discussed instead.

We have to correct the shortcomings of the past 15 years. There should be no shortcomings in the Bundeswehr. Germany must be able to defend itself.

— Friedrich MerzMerz defended the planned increase in German defense spending.

The reports also said Berlin was preparing for a tough reaction from Moscow. The phrase “Zeitenwende 2.0” recalls former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s declaration of a historic turning point after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the resulting shift in Germany’s policy toward Moscow.

Merz used his summer interview to defend a major expansion in defense spending. The Bundeswehr budget is expected to rise from 82 billion euros in 2026 to 153 billion euros in 2028. Germany, he said, must correct shortcomings accumulated over the past 15 years and be able to defend itself. He also called for defense projects to become much more cost-effective and announced a review of public procurement procedures with the defense industry.

What good is the largest parental benefit to us if we lose our freedom and peace in Europe is put at risk?

— Friedrich MerzHe used the rhetorical question to argue that security spending should take priority when European peace is threatened.
About this summary

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, 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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