Germany’s chargé d’affaires in Moscow, Bernd Finke, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry this Tuesday (2) for consultations, amid growing diplomatic tension between the two countries.
“On September 2, Bernd Finke, chargé d’affaires in Moscow, was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry as a result of anti-Russian actions and statements made the previous day by German authorities,” the ministry statement said.
The call comes in the context of Germany’s accusations against Russia over an alleged sabotage attempt in the incident involving charged drones at Leipzig/Halle airport, found about a month ago. In total, there were three incidents involving drones at the same airport during the month of August. German authorities and European media have alleged Russian involvement in the incidents, which, in turn, denies the accusations.
The German government officially held Russia responsible for the incident this Tuesday (2) and announced retaliatory measures. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the preparation of a joint response to the incident with the European Union and NATO. On September 1, the German government, followed by EU countries.
Specifically, the decision to close the Russian Consulate General in Bonn on September 18 was announced. Other measures included denouncing the agreement on Russian House activities in Berlin and stricter entry controls for Russian citizens.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt claimed last Tuesday (1st) that the sabotage attempt at Leipzig Airport would be part of “Russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine’s European allies”.
According to Dobrindt, the German government concluded Russia’s involvement after examining the technology used in the sabotage attempt and other information, including intelligence data.
On the other hand, the Russian Foreign Ministry admitted this Tuesday (2) the possibility of closing the German Consulate General in Saint Petersburg. The information was announced by Vice Chancellor Alexander Grushko on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
Kremlin calls accusations ‘unfounded’ and warns of risk of escalation
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on Germany’s accusations against Russia following the incident in Leipzig, stated that the allegations are unfounded and will lead to a further escalation of tensions.
“It is difficult to comment on this, because if such serious accusations are made, they need to be supported by something. If I am not mistaken, no arguments were presented,” the Kremlin spokesman emphasized. He also added that Germany continues to strain relations between the two countries.
The spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, declared that the German government’s actions are “literally destroying everything positive that has accumulated in relations with Russia over decades”.
Zelensky threatens to ‘close’ Russian airspace
In parallel with the diplomatic crisis between Moscow and Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared his intention to “close the skies” over Russia and paralyze civil air traffic within the country.
In a statement, he warned that Russian airspace was “becoming unsafe” because “drones will appear in Russian airspace in a way that will have to be taken into account”.
Commenting on Zelensky’s statements, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated at a press conference on September 1 that such threats represent “a declaration of state terrorism.” He called the Ukrainian leader’s words “an act of desperation.”
The head of the Russian Transport Ministry declared that Russian aviation authorities would not allow “significant disruptions” to civil aviation operations.
Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
