The Kremlin has reiterated this Thursday that "Russia will not initiate a downgrade of diplomatic relations with Germany," despite the increase in tension following the accusations made by Berlin against Moscow in the wake of the attempted attack with drones loaded with explosives at Leipzig airport last August.
The spokesperson for the Russian Presidency, Dimitri Peskov, has emphasized that "Russia will not initiate a downgrade of diplomatic relations with Germany, but any step from Germany can be expected." "I don't think we will be the ones to initiate it, but it is obvious that they are capable of taking any absurd step now," he insisted.
In this context, Peskov has described the German government's decision to close the Russian Consulate in Bonn as "inconsistent and absurd," "especially considering that the German Interior Minister (Alexander Dobrindt) did not present convincing arguments or evidence to support the accusations" regarding the alleged Russian involvement in the Leipzig incident.
The Kremlin spokesperson added that he sees it as "unlikely" that this diplomatic escalation "will give points" to the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, or "save his political future," referring to his loss of support and the proximity of several electoral dates in different federal states, according to the Russian newspaper 'Vesti.'
Accusations from Berlin and Moscow's response
Dobrindt stated at a joint press conference with the Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, that the investigations conducted by the German authorities conclude that the pattern of the attack, including the components of the drones and the technology used for their detonation, matches the methods used by Moscow to carry out operations in the context of the war in Ukraine.
In reaction, the Russian government demanded that Berlin present "evidence" supporting its alleged involvement in the attempted attack, a stance backed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who went so far as to attribute electoral motivations to the German authorities and accused them of fabricating evidence to point to Moscow.
Leipzig airport is considered a key point for the transit of armaments, also linked to the conflict in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, sightings and reconnaissance activities with drones over critical infrastructure and military targets have increased in Germany.