EU and France Summon Russian Diplomats Over Failed Leipzig Drone Attack
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and France have summoned Russian diplomats after Germany concluded Russia was behind a failed drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, with Kallas calling it state-sponsored terrorism.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday she had summoned Russia's envoy in Brussels over an alleged hybrid attack last month that involved an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Speaking ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland, Kallas described the incident as bearing "all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism." She said the pressing question now was how the bloc should respond, noting that the Russian ambassador had already been summoned. Kallas also said the EU was continuing work on its next sanctions package, covering roughly 1,600 listings tied to Russia's war against Ukraine, and suggested further measures could still be added.
France follows suit
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told reporters in Dublin that Paris had likewise summoned Russia's charge d'affaires to lodge a protest. He argued that sanctions should be imposed at the European level, pointing in particular to Russia's so-called shadow fleet of ships.
Germany's findings
At a joint press conference on Tuesday, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced that Berlin holds Russia responsible for the failed attack. Dobrindt said police investigations, the pattern of the crime and intelligence findings together substantiate Russian responsibility, though he did not elaborate. Wadephul added that the drone's configuration, components, explosives and detonation systems matched methods seen in other Russian hybrid operations, including in its war against Ukraine.
Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have denied the allegations and accused Germany of fabricating the account.
Leipzig/Halle Airport serves as a major freight hub and is used as a base by Ukrainian airline and aircraft manufacturer Antonov, which regularly transits materials to Ukraine through the eastern German city.
