Germany directly blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport – Europe live | Europe

Germany directly blames Russia for attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport

Dobrindt says specifically that “the means used to carry out the act” of sabotage in Leipzig – and he lists the drone’s configuration, various components used and explosives – “are known to us from other hybrid operations conducted by Russia and its war against Ukraine.”

He says “the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport on 4 August fits the established pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe.”

He concludes directly that “the German government therefore concludes that Russia is responsible for the hybrid attack in Leipzig on 4 August.”

Key events

Jakub Krupa

A big question now: will Donald Trump also join allies in condemning Russia’s actions?

And if he doesn’t, should it be read as significant when judging the US commitment to Nato and its Article Five?

‘The security of our allies is the security of us all,’ Meloni says as she backs Germany’s measures against Russia

Italy’s prime minister Giorgia Meloni also throws her support behind Germany’s actions.

“Italy stands in full solidarity with Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

The security of our Allies is the security of us all. Attempts to intimidate us or to drive a wedge between Allies will not succeed: hybrid actions against any one of us are a matter of concern for all of us, and will be met with a united response.

At times like this, it is essential to remain steadfast, to keep working closely together, and to maintain a credible posture of deterrence in defence of our citizens’ security.”

‘Russia must stop its war … instead of escalating,’ EU’s Costa says

European Council president António Costa is the latest European leader to offer solidarity with Germany and condemn Russia’s actions.

In a statement, he said:

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport. Russia must stop its war of aggression against Ukraine, instead of escalating.

The EU stands in full solidarity with Germany.

The EU remains strong and united and Russia will not prevail. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering. We will work with Germany and other Member States to ramp up the pressure on Russia until it shows a willingness to change course.”

Hungary ‘deeply concerned by growing number and intensity of Russian hybrid activities,’ minister says

Hungarian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Anita Orbán said that Budapest is “deeply concerned by the growing number and intensity of Russian hybrid activities on European soil.”

“Recent incidents in Germany demonstrate an increasingly dangerous and reckless pattern of behaviour that poses a serious threat to European security and resilience.

Hungary stands in full solidarity with Germany and is ready to support our partner in countering hybrid threats.

In the face of these challenges, strengthening the resilience, unity and collective preparedness of the European Union and Nato is more important than ever.”

‘Russia will not win this war,’ Poland’s Tusk says

Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk is the latest leader to comment on Germany’s move to name Russia as responsible for the Leipzig attack.

In a post on X, he said:

“Poland, the Baltic states, Romania, and now Germany. Russia is escalating tension across the whole region. We’ll not be intimidated and our response will be our continued support for Ukraine and full coordination of NATO states against the aggressor. Russia will not win this war.”

Moscow to ‘respond to all anti-Russian actions,’ foreign ministry says

Russian foreign ministry told Interfax news agency that Russia “will respond to all anti-Russian actions” after Germany’s move to publicly blame Moscow for last month’s Leipzig drone attack.

Several other EU leaders have issued their versions of the statement, which in many parts are almost exactly the same.

Sweden’s Ulf Kristersson says he will chair a meeting of the National Security Council tomorrow to discuss Stockholm’s response to the incident.

“We are united, and we will continue to stand up for our ally and neighbour,” he says.

Lithuania’s president Gitanas Nausėda also says he assured chancellor Merz of Vilnius’s “full solidarity.”

“The strong measures taken by the German government show: Hybrid action against any one of us will be met with a clear response. Anyone who attacks us will pay a price,” he says.

‘We know the Russian playbook,’ Finland’s Stubb says, as he warns Moscow ‘will not succeed’

Finland’s influential president Alexander Stubb also joins in, warning Moscow that “we know the Russian playbook.”

He says:

“Finland stands in full solidarity with its ally Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

We know the Russian playbook. It attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. It will not succeed.

We will stand united and deter anyone from attacking our freedom and security.

As the strong measures announced by the German government show, any action against any one of us will be met with a clear response.

Our commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s aggression is unwavering.

I continue to be in close touch with Chancellor Merz and other Allies.”

EU ministers to discuss next steps tonight and tomorrow, Poland’s Sikorski says

Poland’s foreign minister Radosław Sikorski also backs Germany’s statement and says EU foreign ministers will discuss the next steps during their meeting in Ireland tonight and tomorrow.

He says:

“Poland stands foursquare behind every ally attacked by Russia’s hybrid war. In this case, full solidarity with Germany. Looking forward to discussing collective countermeasures at the Gymnich meeting in Ireland tonight and tomorrow.”

Sikorski has a history with closing down Russian consulates in response to what Poland said were Russian-inspired acts of sabotage in Poland.

Not unexpected, but big moment as Germany formally blames Russia for Leipzig drone attack – snap analysis

Jakub Krupa

This is not unexpected – there has been strong suspicions about Russia’s involvement in the Leipzig incident from the very first day – but it still is a very significant development.

There’s no tip-toeing around the issue, or attempts to soften the tone: Germany directly names Russia as the party responsible for the attempted drone attack on a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig airport, and follows this up with direct actions regarding the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin, and a promise of further sanctions.

It’s also notable that the ministers were very clear that Russian actions will not change their determination to support Ukraine against Moscow’s aggression.

A big moment.

‘Hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response,’ EU’s von der Leyen says

In what is very clearly a coordinated effort, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has also backed the German conclusions about the Leipzig incident.

“This morning I spoke with Chancellor Merz to discuss the hybrid attack at Leipzig airport.

I assured him that the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia.

We will keep the EU united despite these escalating and serious acts. The German government has taken strong measures. And the message is clear: hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response.

We are united in our resolve to stand against Russian aggression. We will deter anyone who seeks to undermine our freedom and security.

Russia is seeking to sow distrust and fear among our societies. But it will fail. And we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

I will discuss this topic tomorrow with Nato secretary general Rutte. And the matter, including additional sanctions, will be prepared by Foreign Ministers at their upcoming meeting under the Irish Presidency.”

‘Evidence is clear,’ Nato’s Rutte welcomes Germany’s move to attribute Leipzig attack to Russia

Nato secretary general Mark Rutte has just said the “evidence is clear” after Germany attributed the last month’s attempted Leipzig attack to Russia.

“I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response,” he said.

Rutte added that “Nato will continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all Allies against any threat – including malign actions like those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere across the Alliance.”

“Russia’s attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our unity and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and will fail. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering, as is our ironclad commitment to Nato’s collective defence.”

Germany to continue support for Ukraine despite Russian hybrid threats, minister says

Wadephul says Germany coordinates closely with Nato and EU partners.

He also says Germany will “continue its civil and military support for Ukraine.”

He confirms the Russian ambassador has been summoned to be told about these decisions.

Wadephul says “we will not allow Russia’s attacks to divide us or intimidate us.”

The ministers end their press conference without taking questions.

Germany to order Russian consulate in Bonn, Russian House in Berlin to close

Germany’s foreign minister Johann Wadephul says Russian actions “fit into a long series of attempts at destabilisation, disinformation, threats, sabotage and aggression directed at Europe.”

He says “Germany is no exception.”

He says that Russia regrettably shows no willingness to end its war against Ukraine and seek reconciliation with the west.

He says that the Russian consulate in Bonn will be closed in retaliation for the attack, as will the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin.

Germany will also push for stronger sanctions against Russia, entry controls for Russian citizens, and increased pressure on the so-called shadow fleet.

‘We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare,’ minister warns

Dobrindt says that Germany sees the Leipzig incident “not in isolation, but as a part of a broader context of hybrid actions.”

He says the government expects that Germany will remain a target for further Russian hybrid attacks, including attempts to inflict significant damage.

He says the government “recognises a clear need for an appropriate and necessary response.”

“Let me be clear: we are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare.”