Germany shuts Russian consulate after drone attack

Germany is closing Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn after accusing Moscow of carrying out a hybrid attack involving drones at Leipzig Airport.

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced the measures at a joint news conference with Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. He said the incident formed part of a broader Russian campaign involving destabilisation, disinformation, threats, sabotage and aggression against Germany and other European countries.

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The dangerous conduct of the Russian Federation described just now is part of a long series of attempts to destabilise, spread disinformation, threaten, sabotage and show aggression towards Europe.

“The dangerous conduct of the Russian Federation described just now is part of a long series of attempts to destabilise, spread disinformation, threaten, sabotage and show aggression towards Europe,” Wadephul said. “Unfortunately, Germany is no exception here. Russia’s leadership is treating our country with blatant hostility.”

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Unfortunately, Germany is no exception here. Russia’s leadership is treating our country with blatant hostility.

Wadephul said Germany did not want relations with Russia to deteriorate further and had repeatedly called for an end to the war in Ukraine and a return to peace in Europe. But he said Russia was showing no willingness to compromise. He described the Leipzig incident as a conscious decision by the Russian leadership to further damage already strained bilateral relations.

The Bonn consulate will close on September 18, while the lease for the Russian House in Berlin will be terminated. Germany will also push for new European Union sanctions against people allegedly connected to hybrid attacks and increase pressure on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet. Berlin said it would maintain intelligence and defence cooperation with NATO and EU partners, continue supporting Ukraine and strengthen its own defence capabilities.

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However, this requires a minimum level of willingness to do so on the part of the Russians. We must acknowledge that Russia is displaying no willingness to compromise.

“Germany remains secure, and Germany is defending itself against opponents who seek to spread insecurity,” Wadephul said. The government has summoned Russia’s ambassador and said its response aims to prevent Moscow from undermining German security and social cohesion.

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Germany remains secure, and Germany is defending itself against opponents who seek to spread insecurity.