Drohne in Leipzig: „Neue Eskalation“: EU rückt gegen Russland enger zusammen

European nations are tightening their ties with the Kremlin following a Russian drone attack on Leipzig Airport. EU Foreign Ministers gathered in Ireland on Wednesday and supported Germany's stance. Several ministers emphasized that Europe should not be divided by Russia's hybrid attacks. Ukraine's support will be expanded further.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the Leipzig incident a "new escalation on European soil". However, the intimidation would not work. Germany had previously attributed the failed drone attack to Russia and announced various punitive measures against Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed Germany's move as a "serious mistake".

The Kremlin's response has so far been verbal. Russian Deputy National Security Council Chief Dmitri Medvedev posted on Telegram that Germany deserves "a direct hit on all German defense manufacturing sites" and called the government "neo-Nazi" and "extremely Russophobic". The EU's Kaja Kallas described the Leipzig attack as "all the hallmarks of state terrorism".

The EU and several member states have already expelled Russian ambassadors to protest. Discussions are also underway about further sanctions against the Russian "military complex". The EU diplomat Elina Valtonen from Finland called for "all options" to be explored to weaken Russia's war economy, including "all we can do on the import and export side to limit Putin's ability to wage war".

Despite the demonstrated resolve, EU diplomats doubt that the currently negotiated 22nd sanctions package will contain significant new economic sanctions. The 27 EU governments are still prioritizing their national interests and exceptions for their companies, leading to the continued need for certain exemptions. The Irish host, Helen McEntee, had to explain why a refinery of the Russian corporation Rusal in Western Ireland can still export aluminum oxide to Russia.

The metal powder is a basic component of metal aluminum used in weapons production. The Irish argue there is no evidence the plant supplies the Russian arms industry, but EU Commission is currently reviewing an Irish investigation report. It is worth noting that a factory closure would also affect European automotive and arms industries and European power grid operators.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha, who attended the Irish gathering, warned Europeans that Russian attacks would increase before elections in France, Italy, Spain, and Poland next year. He said, "The reality is that Russia is at war with Europe, even if Europe is not at war with Russia." Europeans vowed to stand by Ukraine, but some were surprised that Kyiv is already facing financial difficulties again.

President Volodymyr Zelensky recently put Ukraine's defense budget deficit at 23 billion euros. The EU had only offered Ukraine a loan of 90 billion euros this year, which was supposed to cover the bulk of the financial needs until the end of 2027. The timing of the loan installments might need to be adjusted, said a diplomat, and some countries might need to increase their bilateral aid.

The frozen Russian state wealth of around 200 billion euros in Belgium remains a possible new source of funding, but Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever blocked access to the money at the EU summit last December. Now, some Nordic and Eastern European countries are pushing for a new attempt at this. However, Belgium has not changed its position so far.