The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Germany's charge d'affaires in Moscow, Bernd Finke, following Berlin's retaliation measures against Russia after the drone attack attempt at Leipzig/Halle airport on August 4. The German measures include the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russian cultural center in the German capital.
Germany considered the attack attempt part of a hybrid warfare campaign and held Russia responsible for the facts. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen accused Russia of a "new escalation" on European soil, stating that the attack was carried out by Russian operatives using military-grade material on EU soil. The EU is also preparing new response measures.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko ruled out for now a break in diplomatic relations, saying they will give diplomacy a chance. Russian diplomatic spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Berlin of having "no evidence" and said Moscow would respond to all anti-Russian decisions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin considered the German measures another "big mistake" and stated they go against the interests of the German people. Putin linked the reaction of the German authorities to upcoming electoral campaigns in Germany and the declining popularity of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who, according to Putin, does not defend national interests.
