Germany Defends Russia Sanctions as Europe, Canada Close Ranks

German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul has defended Berlin's decision to impose new measures on Russia, describing the response as both necessary and proportionate. Speaking at an international conference in Ireland, he said he was impressed by the strong support shown by European partners and Canada for Germany's actions.

"Russia has escalated, and Russia has carried out this hybrid attack," Wadephul said. "Now Russia must live with these consequences."

The German government has blamed Moscow for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month, where a drone laden with explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian plane on August 4. The device was defused, and officials described the incident as posing a new level of danger.

In response, Berlin has announced it will shut down a Russian consulate and close the Russian House in Berlin, a cultural centre founded during the GDR era that opened in 1984. German officials suspect the facility has also been used as a spy headquarters.

EU foreign affairs ministers and allies have condemned the attempted attack. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described it as appearing to be "state sponsored terrorism."

Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the allegations, claiming Germany's government wants to distract from its own failings. He suggested any proof offered "has been planted."

Wadephul said Germany remains willing to engage in reasonable dialogue with Russia, but stressed that Moscow must demonstrate its readiness for negotiations, particularly regarding the situation in Ukraine.