Moscow, Sept 2 (dpa/GNA) – The Russian Foreign Ministry has summoned the chargé d’affaires of the German embassy in Moscow, to protest against Berlin’s sanctions, following the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport.
The ministry stated that the summons was issued in response to what it called “the anti-Russian actions and statements made by the German leadership.”
A video showed the diplomat arriving in a car with the head of the embassy’s political section, and entering the building.
Germany’s incoming ambassador, Clemens von Goetze, is reportedly not in Moscow at the moment. The summons comes a day after Germany officially blamed Russia for an explosive-laden drone, that was discovered near Ukrainian cargo aircraft at the eastern German airport on the evening of August 4.
Moscow denies any involvement with the drone, and has described the incident involving the device, which failed to detonate, as a “provocation.”
Summoning diplomats serves as a diplomatic tool, when states wish to express their displeasure at the actions or attitudes of other countries. The Russian side “firmly rejects the completely baseless allegations of Russian involvement in the alleged incident at Leipzig airport,” said a statement issued after the meeting.
It charged that Berlin is resorting to “open provocation” to undermine Russian-German relations. “The German government’s actions will be met with a tough response,” the Foreign Ministry in Moscow warned.
Russia has announced counter-sanctions. The closure of the Goethe Institute German cultural centre and the German consulate general in St Petersburg, is considered a possibility. Both sides have previously closed consulates in response to sanctions.
Moscow regards the case of the unexploded drone as a “provocation” that only serves the interests “of militarist circles” in Europe and Ukraine.
On Tuesday, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had blamed Russia for the drone incident and announced punitive measures.
Wadephul said that the Russian consulate in Bonn was to be closed. Furthermore, the lease for Russia House cultural institute in Berlin would be terminated.
GNA