The European Union and several member states have summoned Russian diplomatic representatives over a suspected drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, escalating diplomatic pressure on Moscow.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday that the bloc’s diplomatic service had summoned Russia’s ambassador in Brussels over the incident as European governments moved to coordinate their response.
Germany said it had determined that Russia was behind the attempted attack and announced measures in response, including the closure of a Russian consulate and a cultural centre in Berlin.
Moscow has rejected the accusation, saying Germany has provided no evidence to substantiate its claims and warning that it would respond to the measures.
France also summoned Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Paris. Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for a coordinated European response and said further sanctions should be considered, including measures targeting Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
In the Netherlands, Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen described the incident as unacceptable and confirmed that Russia’s ambassador had been summoned to explain Moscow’s position.
Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot likewise said Russia’s ambassador had been summoned in Brussels. He described the incident as part of a broader pattern of what he called unacceptable incursions affecting EU and NATO countries in recent months.
Russia has strongly denied involvement. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to what she described as Germany’s “anti-Russian action”, according to Interfax.
The Russian Embassy in Berlin also dismissed the allegations as fabricated, accusing Germany of fuelling what it called a fresh wave of “anti-Russian hysteria”.
Goodness Anunobi
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