Germany warns Russia to abandon its ‘dangerous path’ of escalation, diplomatic sources in Berlin stated following a rare meeting with Moscow’s foreign minister. Tensions between the two nations have dramatically intensified in recent weeks. Consequently, Germany has accused Russia of orchestrating an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport.
Furthermore, each country has ordered the closure of the other’s consulate. Berlin emphasized that incidents such as the Leipzig attempt, or other hybrid assaults, would not undermine Germany’s unwavering resolve. Its support for Ukraine, which remains under attack, will continue.
This Saturday meeting marked the first such encounter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over four years ago. Moscow’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, last met with Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in January 2022. This was less than a month before Russian forces invaded Ukraine.
Germany is a crucial ally for Kyiv. Consequently, relations between Moscow and Berlin, already strained pre-invasion, have significantly deteriorated. Lavrov, Russia’s longest-serving minister and a vocally anti-Western official, recently accused Germany of ‘wanting war again’.
European countries, including Germany, have raised alarms over increased Russian sabotage activities on their soil. Direct flights between Russia and Germany remain suspended since the invasion began. The recent meeting, closed to media, primarily focused on Ukraine, according to German diplomatic representatives.
German officials vehemently condemned Russia’s ongoing and increasingly targeted aggression against the Ukrainian civilian population. This attempt to increase pressure changes nothing regarding Russia’s untenable situation. Every month, tens of thousands of Russian soldiers die in a hopeless war of positions. Meanwhile, the Russian economy continues its collapse.
Moscow’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, stated that Berlin initiated the approximately 20-minute meeting. She also noted that Germany demanded restricted media access and no recording of opening remarks.
