The Netherlands summons Russian ambassador after explosive drones are found in Germany

The Netherlands has summoned the Russian ambassador after drones with explosives were found in and around the airport in Leipzig, Germany. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tom Berendsen, shared the news prior to an informal meeting with other EU and European foreign affairs ministers in Wicklow, Ireland.

The German government said on Tuesday that Russia is responsible for the drones at the airport. Germany has also summoned the ambassador and announced the closure of the Russian consulate in Bonn and the Russia House in Berlin. Moscow has denied any involvement.

Berendsen called Russia’s actions in Leipzig “completely unacceptable” and will say as much to the Russian ambassador, the minister said.

“We see that Russia is using these types of tactics to instill fear, disturb our unity, and undermine our support for Ukraine,” said Berendsen. “We must guard against hybrid activities, together with our partners in Europe and NATO. We are seeing an increase in these activities, and the risks connected to this are increasing.”

Berendsen has pushed for pressure to be ramped up on Russia; EU foreign chief Kaja Kallas and many foreign affairs ministers within the European Union have also stated as much.

He added that Europe needs to offer “credible support” to Ukraine. For the Netherlands, Berendsen sees funding and military materials like anti-aircraft defense as examples of credible support.

Berendsen added that Russia’s actions in Leipzig show that they are feeling the pressure. “They are escalating. That is the choice that they are currently making,” he said after the meeting with the other ministers.

The pressure from the EU “is working,” Berendsen concluded, comparing Russia’s actions to a retaliatory strike by a cornered cat. He added that the drones found in Leipzig had “significant danger.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later clarified that the ambassador was summoned, but that the embassy’s chargé d’affaires appeared at the ministry in their place because the ambassador was unavailable.