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New Delhi: Tension has risen in Europe after an alleged attempt by an explosive-laden drone to attack East Germany’s Leipzig/Halle airport last month. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday that she has summoned Russia’s ambassador to Brussels.

Characteristics of State-Sponsored Terrorism: Kallas

Speaking ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Ireland, Kallas said, “We are discussing the Leipzig attacks, and it is also clear that this has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism.” He said that the question is what to do about it now.

Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia, said the EU is working on its next package of about 1,600 sanctions to Russia’s war in Ukraine and that more could be added.

Germany’s foreign and interior ministers said in a joint press conference on Tuesday that the Berlin government had concluded that Russia was responsible for the failed attack. This further strengthened the suspicion that had arisen as soon as the news came to light in August.

France also summoned the Russian ambassador

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told reporters in Dublin that Paris was also summoning the Russian chargé d’affaires to lodge a protest. Barrot said sanctions should be imposed at the European level, especially against Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’.

Non-EU foreign ministers from Ukraine, the UK, Canada, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland also traveled to Ireland for Wednesday’s talks. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadefull said, “Pressure on Russia is being increased and support for Ukraine also remains high. This is the solidarity we are demonstrating.”

He said that Russia has chosen the path of increasing tension and now it will have to face the consequences. He responded to Berlin’s “necessary and appropriate” told which “solid opinions and decisions” Is based on.

What did Germany find in the investigation?

Home Minister Alexander Dobrindt said on Tuesday, “The police investigation, crime pattern and intelligence prove that Russia is responsible for the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport.”

Foreign Minister Wadeful said, “The means used – such as the drone’s configuration, parts, explosives and detonation systems – are already familiar to us from Russia’s other hybrid operations and its war against Ukraine.”

Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, have rejected the allegations and accused Germany of fabricating the events.

It is noteworthy that Leipzig/Halle Airport is an important hub for freight transportation. Ukrainian airline and aircraft manufacturer Antonov uses this airport as its base of operations and often delivers goods to Ukraine from here.