Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called Western allegations of Russia's involvement in the drone incident at Germany's Leipzig Airport "practically the start of a war."
According to the Russian state-run Tass news agency, Minister Lavrov said this on the 6th (local time), referring to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statement that he would make Germany a military power in Europe again. He said, "All these remarks are actually being implemented," adding, "He is, in fact, declaring war on us."
It began with an explosive-laden drone found at Leipzig/Halle Airport on the last month. The German government concluded on the 1st that Russia was responsible for the incident. Germany then announced countermeasures, including closing the Russian consulate and the Russian Cultural Center.
Russia flatly denies the allegations, saying Germany fabricated evidence to pin the blame on Russia. On the 3rd, it decided to close the Goethe-Institut, Germany's cultural institute, in response to Germany's measures. At the time, Minister Lavrov argued that Germany had deliberately closed the Russian Cultural Center to end the two countries' cultural ties.
The German government expressed regret over Russia's decision to close the Goethe-Institut. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there had traditionally been good relations between the peoples of the two countries, but the problem lay with Russia's leadership.