EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has accused Russia of carrying out what she described as a state-sponsored terrorist attack after Germany formally blamed Moscow for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4.
“It is clear that it has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism,” Kallas told reporters on Sept. 2 ahead of an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Wicklow, Ireland, where European diplomats were expected to discuss the incident, possible countermeasures and additional sanctions against Russia.
Drones were discovered at Leipzig Airport on Aug. 4, including one that struck a cargo aircraft. A second unmanned aerial vehicle later collided with an aircraft, preventing the plane from landing. Media reports and U.S. intelligence assessments had pointed to Moscow, before the German government formally attributed the incident to Russia on Sept. 1.
Kallas said the informal foreign ministers' meeting would not take decisions on a response, but would provide an opportunity to discuss the incident and possible sanctions. She said the EU already had a large package of restrictions in preparation.
“We already have in the pipeline 1,600 listings for the military complex of Russia, and maybe there are more to be added... member states have brought even more,” Kallas said.
