Kaja Kallas Calls Attempted Drone Attack in Germany State-Sponsored Terrorism

Kaja Kallas has described the attempted drone attack on Germany’s Leipzig-Halle Airport as “state-sponsored terrorism,” putting the question of Europe’s response directly on the agenda.

The EU’s foreign policy chief made the remarks to reporters before a meeting of EU defense ministers in Ireland. “It is clear that this has all the characteristics of state-sponsored terrorism. The question is what we will do about it,” she said.

The German government has blamed Russia for the attempted attack on Aug. 4 and announced plans to close the Russian consulate. Authorities found the drone near a Ukrainian aircraft and deactivated the explosive device.

German officials said at the time that the incident represented a new level of danger. Kallas’s comments signal that the episode will be discussed not only as an airport security incident, but also as a matter of European security and policy response.

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It is clear that this has all the characteristics of state-sponsored terrorism. The question is what we will do about it.