Berlin plans new sanctions against Russia over Leipzig airport drone incidents

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is preparing to hold Russia responsible for recent attempted drone attacks at the Leipzig airport, according to reports from Welt am Sonntag and Politico. The German government is expected to announce extensive new sanctions against Moscow, marking a significant escalation in response to the security threats detected at the facility.

The proposed measures, which target various entities linked to Russian interests, are slated for release before the European Union Foreign Ministers council meeting in Ireland, scheduled for Tuesday. German officials emphasized that previous diplomatic gestures, such as the expulsion of diplomats or the closure of the 'Russian House' in Berlin, are no longer sufficient to address the severity of the threat. The timing of this announcement also precedes the upcoming Saxony-Anhalt elections on September 6, where the pro-Russian Alternative for Germany (AfD) party currently leads in the polls.

While the specific nature of the sanctions remains part of a broader government strategy, the administration indicates that immediate and robust action is necessary to deter further hostile activities. The investigation into the drone incidents remains ongoing as the government finalizes its response package.