Several European leaders have shown their support for Germany this Tuesday after the country's authorities concluded that Russia is behind the "failed" attack carried out last month with several drones loaded with explosives against the airport in Leipzig, in the east of German territory.
The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has called on European partners to "remain firm," continue cooperating "closely," and "maintain a robust deterrent posture in defense of the security" of all citizens.
"The security of our allies is our security. Attempts to intimidate us or sow discord among allies will not succeed: hybrid actions against anyone are a cause for concern for all and will be met with a united response," she emphasized on social media.
The British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has also expressed his solidarity with Berlin in a statement following the "atrocious" attack against Leipzig, stressing that Moscow's attempts to "undermine" European determination and the will to support Kiev "are futile and doomed to failure."
"As I made clear in Kiev last week, our commitment to support Ukraine against Russia's illegal invasion is unwavering. The firm measures taken by the German Government demonstrate that any attack of this kind will receive a clear response. We will not waver in our determination to deter attacks against our freedom and security," he asserted.
The French President, Emmanuel Macron, has warned that "hybrid attacks" are "multiplying" in Europe and "cannot go unanswered." "In the face of this escalation, we must be united, determined, and strengthen our support for Ukraine. France will continue to fully assume its part," he indicated on social media.
For his part, the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, has emphasized that Europe "will not be intimidated." "Our response will be our continued support for Ukraine and the full coordination of NATO states against the aggressor. Russia will not win this war," he stated in a message posted on social media.
Likewise, the Belgian Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, has described the attribution made by Berlin as "extremely serious" and has expressed his support for the measures announced by his counterpart, Johann Wadephul, as retaliation.
"I have requested that the Russian ambassador be summoned. This attack adds to a long series of unacceptable incursions into the territory of other EU and NATO Allies in recent months," he stated on social media, demanding that the term "hybrid" not become "a euphemism for aggression."
In the same vein, the Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, has fully supported "the strong measures" taken by the German government following the investigations. "We are united and will continue to defend our ally and neighbor," he stated.
The Finnish President, Alexander Stubb, has also spoken out, emphasizing that European countries already know "the manual" of Russian actions. "It tries to intimidate us, undermine our determination and our will to support Ukraine in its defense against the Russian invasion. It will not succeed," he concluded.
Support has also been expressed to Berlin by the Portuguese Prime Minister, Luis Montenegro; the Austrian Chancellor, Christian Stocker; the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis; the Danish 'premier', Mette Frederiksen; the Hungarian head of government, Peter Magyar; the Lithuanian President, Gitanas Nauseda; the Estonian Prime Minister, Kristen Michal, and the Icelandic Foreign Minister, Katrín Gunnarsdóttir.
The expressions of support come after German authorities reported last week the discovery of a third drone in the vicinity of Leipzig airport, following the earlier location of two other devices with explosives at the beginning of August, one in the area designated for cargo planes and another next to a Ukrainian Antonov aircraft.
The German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, has held Moscow responsible this Tuesday for a "failed attack" against airport facilities, emphasizing that this is not an "isolated" incident, but part of the "hybrid actions" that Russian authorities would be carrying out against several European countries.
On the other hand, the Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, has communicated in response that the government will close the Russian consulate general in Bonn starting September 18, will terminate the contract with the Russian House in Berlin, and will summon the Russian ambassador to express the official protest.