The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, disclosed on Wednesday that she had summoned Russia’s Brussels-based envoy in response to an alleged hybrid attack involving an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month.
Germany’s foreign and interior ministers announced in a joint press conference on Tuesday that the Berlin government had concluded Russia was responsible for the failed attack, reinforcing earlier suspicions that emerged when the incident was first reported in August.
Kallas Identifies Clear Indicators of State-Sponsored Terrorism
“The Leipzig incident exhibits all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism,” Kallas stated during an informal gathering of EU foreign ministers in Ireland.
“The central question now is what remedial actions we will take. We have already summoned the Russian ambassador,” she added.
The former Estonian prime minister also emphasized the EU’s ongoing efforts to finalize a new sanctions package targeting approximately 1,600 entities linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine, noting that additional measures may still be necessary.
France Joins EU Sanctions Escalation, Summons Russian Diplomat
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed in Dublin that Paris had summoned Moscow’s charge d’affaires to formally protest the Leipzig attack.
“I have summoned the Russian charge d’affaires in Paris to register our protest,” Barrot declared, emphasizing the need for coordinated European sanctions, particularly targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of ships.
Non-EU allies, including Ukrainian, British, Canadian, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Swiss foreign ministers, also attended the informal EU discussions in Ireland.
German Officials Stress Escalating Pressure on Russia
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated the EU is advancing additional sanctions measures, which will be implemented “in the coming weeks.”
“Pressure on Russia is intensifying, and our solidarity with Ukraine remains strong,” Wadephul asserted, characterizing the Russian government’s decision to escalate as one that “must now face the consequences.”
Wadephul defended Berlin’s attribution of responsibility, calling it a “necessary and proportionate response” grounded in “robust evidence.”
Germany’s Investigative Findings
Jointly, Foreign Minister Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt affirmed Russian culpability for the attempted attack during a Tuesday press conference.
“Collective evidence from police investigations, crime patterns, and intelligence assessments confirms Russian responsibility for the Leipzig Airport incident,” Dobrindt said, without disclosing specific details.
Wadephul added that the drone’s configuration, components, explosives, and detonation systems matched those used in other Russian hybrid operations linked to the Ukraine conflict.
Germany Blames Russia for Attempted Terror Attack in Leipzig
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Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have dismissed Germany’s allegations as fabricated. Leipzig/Halle Airport, a major freight hub, serves as a strategic base for Ukrainian operations, including Antonov Airlines, which frequently transports cargo to Ukraine via the region.