Germany said on Wednesday it was ready to pursue de-escalation with Russia, a day after accusing Moscow of orchestrating an attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport.
Speaking on the sidelines of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Wicklow, Ireland, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reiterated his willingness to “resume reasonable talks with Russia as well.”
However, he said it was up to Russia to demonstrate that it was also prepared for such talks, according to German Press Agency.
Ahead of discussions with his EU counterparts, Wadephul also called for a necessary and appropriate response to Russia.
“We have formed a well-founded opinion and judgment and have drawn the necessary conclusions,” he said.
Russia had escalated the situation and carried out the hybrid attack, Wadephul said. “And Russia must now live with these consequences.”
Germany on Tuesday accused Russia of being behind an attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport last month and announced extensive diplomatic measures and sanctions against Moscow.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said at a press conference in Berlin that investigators had concluded the plot was planned by Russian intelligence services and carried out by low-level operatives.
Russia has rejected claims of assassinations, sabotage, drone incursions, and spying in countries allied with Ukraine, accusing Western governments of stoking "anti-Russian paranoia."
Meanwhile, the US ambassador to NATO on Wednesday expressed solidarity with Germany over the attacks.
"The United States stands in solidarity with Germany and all Allies in the face of efforts to cause harm and chaos on NATO territory," Matthew Whitaker wrote on X.
Whitaker added: "We remain committed to NATO’s collective defence and clear-eyed about the need for Allies to increase their capabilities to deter all threats to the Alliance."
Leipzig Airport is a major freight hub and a key logistics node for military cargo, including Ukrainian Antonov flights. Officials have described the foiled drone strike as an attempt to disrupt that support chain without launching a conventional military attack.
