E.U. Chief Says Alleged Russian Drone Plot Had 'Hallmarks of State-Sponsored Terrorism'
German officials have said Russia was behind the explosive-laden drone that was found near a runway at a German airport last month.
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas declared on Wednesday that an alleged Russian drone plot targeting a German airport displayed "all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism." This follows Germany's assertion of Russia's responsibility for the incident, which occurred in early August at Leipzig/Halle airport.
Kallas announced that EU member states would consider additional sanctions against Russian military assets and collaborate with Ukraine to exert more pressure on Moscow to cease the war. Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed that the attempted drone attack utilized equipment and components similar to those used in other Russian hybrid operations and in Russia's conflict with Ukraine, displaying a high degree of technical expertise.
Germany plans to close its Russian consulate in Bonn and terminate the lease for the Russian House in Berlin, as well as impose tighter entry controls on Russian nationals. Russia has denied involvement in the drone plot and accused Germany of escalating bilateral relations. European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Andrew Burnham, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, have expressed solidarity with Germany, vowed to provide support, and emphasized that Russia's actions will not succeed in undermining unity or the willingness to aid Ukraine.
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