Lavrov Accuses Germany of Wanting War Again in Historic Rebuke

Sergei Lavrov has accused Germany of wanting war again after Berlin announced measures against Russia over a drone found at Leipzig-Halle Airport.

Speaking to Russia’s VGTRK broadcaster, the Russian foreign minister said Germany had attributed the drone to Russia without investigating what had really happened. He said the measures included closing Russia’s consulate in Bonn and ending the contract for the Russian House in Berlin.

“They found a drone and said it belonged to Russia. No one investigated what actually happened. This is, in fact, the beginning of a real war,” Lavrov said. He also invoked Germany’s history before World War II, saying he remembered German diplomatic missions being closed at that time. “They want war again,” he said.

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They found a drone and said it belonged to Russia. No one investigated what actually happened. This is, in fact, the beginning of a real war.

The dispute follows the discovery on Aug. 4 of a drone near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig-Halle Airport. The device was assessed as containing an explosive mechanism. U.S. intelligence claimed that the characteristics of the explosive-laden drone were distinctive of Russian military intelligence.

The German government said on Sept. 1 that findings from its investigation pointed to Russia’s responsibility. Under the measures, Russia’s Bonn consulate will close on Sept. 18, the contract for the Russian House in Berlin will be terminated, entry checks for Russian citizens will be tightened, and pressure on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet will increase.

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They want war again.