The German government on Tuesday blamed Russia for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month using a drone laden with explosives, and announced that it would shut down a Russian consulate among other measures against Moscow. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed "full solidarity" with Berlin in response. "NATO will continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all Allies against any threat – including malign actions like those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere across the Alliance," Rutte wrote on X following talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Rutte said Berlin had put forward "clear" evidence of Moscow's role in the "hybrid attack" and welcomed the measures announced in response. "Russia's attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our unity and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and will fail," he added. The European Commission president, who likewise spoke with Merz, vowed to "keep the EU united despite these escalating and serious acts". "I assured him that the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia," von der Leyen wrote on X. "The German government has taken strong measures. And the message is clear: hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response," she said, adding the bloc was preparing additional sanctions against Russia. Read moreBomb-disposal robot and drone with explosives discovered at Germany's Leipzig airport "We are united in our resolve to stand against Russian aggression. We will deter anyone who seeks to undermine our freedom and security," the commission chief wrote. French ​President Emmanuel Macron ​said on Tuesday he supported the ​adoption ‌of ⁠new European sanctions ‌against Russia after the attempted drone attack. "We ​must be united in support to ​Ukraine, France ​will continue to ​play its full ​part," he said in a post on ⁠X. The drone was found near a Ukrainian plane on the evening of August 4 and the device was defused. German officials said at the time that the incident posed a new level of danger. Moscow has been widely accused by Western officials of running a campaign of sabotage and disruption across Europe with the aim of undermining support for Ukraine and destabilising European nations. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Tuesday that authorities found elements such as the drone configuration, components, explosives and detonator that are “known to us from other Russian hybrid operations and its war against Ukraine". He said that the device pointed to “a high degree of technical expertise” and painstaking planning, but that the execution of the plan appears to have been left to “low-level” agents.