EU Ministers Unite Against Russian Sabotage After Leipzig Drone Plot
EU ministers condemned Russia after Germany blamed Moscow for a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
European Union foreign affairs ministers, meeting in Wicklow, Ireland, on Wednesday condemned Russia's attempted drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany. The incident, which occurred last month, has heightened concerns over Moscow's campaign of sabotage across the continent.
Speaking at the meeting, UK Foreign Affairs Minister Ed Miliband said Russia's attempt to divide Europe and deter support for Ukraine would fail. He reaffirmed Britain's commitment to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with Ukraine, as it has since Russia's invasion in 2022, and stressed that supporting Kyiv is both a matter of principle and essential for European security.
The German government has formally blamed Russia for the attack, in which a drone laden with explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian aircraft on August 4. The device was defused safely. German officials described the incident as representing a new level of danger.
In response, Berlin announced it would shut down a Russian consulate among other measures against Moscow. Western officials have widely accused Russia of running a covert campaign of sabotage and disruption across Europe, aimed at undermining public support for Ukraine and destabilising European nations.