Lavrov warns Germany moving towards war with Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned that Germany's actions could lead to a direct confrontation with Russia, comparing it to the start of World War II. Lavrov criticized Germany's decision to close diplomatic offices following a drone incident at Leipzig airport, stating that Germany's actions "are, broadly speaking, kind of the beginning of a real war."

He recalled that Germany had similarly closed diplomatic missions before the start of World War II, accusing Germany of wanting war again. Germany blamed Russia for the drone incident, but Russia denied the claim, with President Putin accusing Germany of planting evidence. Moscow has been increasingly confrontational in its rhetoric as part of a campaign to pressure the West.

Germany's decision to close the Russian consulate general in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin followed an investigation that found Russia was behind a failed drone attack. In retaliation, Moscow announced it would close branches of Germany’s Goethe Institut. European Union officials have warned that Russia's escalating hybrid attacks pose a significant strategic threat to the bloc.

Lavrov said that Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz is "essentially moving to declare war on us," and Russia’s leadership will draw the appropriate conclusions.