Germany has officially blamed Russia for the August drone attack on Leipzig Airport and is closing Russia's consulate in Bonn and a cultural center in Berlin. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the bloc is weighing deeper sanctions, tighter visa rules for Russian travelers, and Ukraine's request for PAC-3 Patriot air-defense systems.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on September 2 that the Leipzig Airport drone incident now represents Europe's new normal, vowing tougher measures against Moscow. Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, she said: "Leipzig marks a new escalation on European soil, directly attributed to Russia."
Rutte said Russia had grown increasingly reckless, with more drones and missiles crossing into Europe's eastern airspace and creating increased risk. Von der Leyen added that Brussels wants to close every loophole Russia exploits and cut deeper into the country's war chest.
Germany closes diplomatic sites over drone incident
Germany officially blamed Russia on September 1 for the August 4-5 drone incident at Leipzig Airport, which disrupted flights. German authorities said they would close the Russian Consulate in Bonn and end the lease on a Russian cultural center in Berlin as a result.
France, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands summoned Russian ambassadors over the incident on September 2, and the European Union said it would summon Moscow's representative in Brussels. Political analyst Alexander Astrov told RFE/RL's Current Time that Europe faces the challenge of responding to Russia's hybrid actions while staying within international law.
EU weighs sanctions and visa curbs
German media reported that the alleged Leipzig perpetrator entered the EU on a Schengen tourist visa issued by Italy, prompting foreign ministers meeting in Ireland to revisit an earlier proposal to curb such visas. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said there was broad support for the move, though not unanimity among member states.
The European External Action Service also proposed imposing visa bans and asset freezes on 1,600 Russian individuals and companies tied largely to Russia's defense sector, with adoption expected next month. The EU is separately expected to extend its existing blacklist of 3,000 people and entities sanctioned since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with most member states pushing for a 12-month extension instead of the usual six months.
Slovakia, whose government is considered Moscow-friendly, is pushing for a six-month rollover and wants some Russian oligarchs removed from the list.
Ukraine's request for Patriot interceptors
Von der Leyen said Ukraine has formally requested PAC-3 Patriot air-defense systems as Russia escalates attacks on Ukrainian cities. She said member states are currently looking at the request and that it is going in the right direction.
Several EU diplomats, speaking anonymously, told RFE/RL that Brussels is also pushing allies including Japan and South Korea to deliver air defenses to Kyiv ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York later this month. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul separately briefed EU counterparts on further sanctions against Russia at the same Ireland gathering.
Source: Oilprice.com
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