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🇩🇪 Germany /Conflict & Security

Kiesewetter Calls Germany’s Response to Drone Incident Inadequate

From Die Zeit · () German

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

At a glance

Newswire Named sources Ongoing story
  • German lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter criticized the government’s response to an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport as inadequate.
  • He called for consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty and warned of possible further Russian sabotage, targeted killings and terrorist attacks.
  • Germany announced measures including closing Russian diplomatic and cultural facilities, tighter entry checks and action against Russia’s shadow fleet.

Roderich Kiesewetter says Germany’s response to the attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport does not go far enough. The prominent CDU foreign and security policy politician told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland that Berlin had taken only “symbolic and diplomatic measures” against Russia.

Kiesewetter called for consultations under Article 4 of the NATO treaty, which allows a member state to seek discussions when it considers its security threatened from outside. He said Russia could interpret measures such as closing Russian cultural institutes in Berlin as a sign of weakness.

symbolic and diplomatic measures

· Roderich KiesewetterHe criticized the German government’s response to the attempted drone attack.

“I therefore expect further Russian terrorism and acts of war such as sabotage, targeted killings and terrorist attacks in Germany,” Kiesewetter said.

I therefore expect further Russian terrorism and acts of war such as sabotage, targeted killings and terrorist attacks in Germany.

· Roderich KiesewetterHe warned that Russia could expand hostile actions against Germany.

The German government announced several protective measures after what it described as a suspected Russian-controlled attempted drone attack. They include closing Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin. The cultural institution is suspected of serving as cover for Russian espionage. Germany also plans tighter entry controls for Russian citizens and tougher action against Russia’s shadow fleet. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul summoned the Russian ambassador.

Army Inspector General Christian Freuding separately called for faster expansion of the Bundeswehr. “We need to switch to a different mode. We urgently need to increase capacity,” he told the Landeszeitung für die Lüneburger Heide. Freuding said Germany must be able to deter possible Russian attacks by demonstrating credible military strength as early as possible. The Greens welcomed the government’s response but criticized the time it took to introduce the measures. A drone fitted with explosives and an ignition mechanism entered the security area of Leipzig/Halle airport on Aug. 4.

We need to switch to a different mode. We urgently need to increase capacity.

· Christian FreudingThe army inspector called for a faster expansion of Germany’s armed forces.
About this summary

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. 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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