Four more countries summoned Russian diplomats over the attack in Leipzig
The United Kingdom, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia summoned representatives from the Russian embassies over the incident at Leipzig Airport. The countries thus expressed solidarity with Germany, which accused Russia of involvement in the attack.
The United Kingdom, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia summoned representatives of Russian diplomatic missions following the incident at Leipzig Airport. In doing so, the countries joined Germany’s response and demonstrated solidarity with Berlin. This refers to an attack that German officials link to Russia. Berlin views the incident as a possible Russian hybrid operation.
For European countries, this situation has become yet another reason to pay attention to Russia’s actions beyond the immediate front lines in Ukraine. In EU and NATO countries, there is increasing talk of cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, and other forms of hybrid influence. Summoning a diplomat is one of the common ways to formally lodge a protest with another country. During such a meeting, a diplomatic note may be handed to the country’s representative, or the government’s position may be communicated.
Lithuania handed Russia two notes of protest
Lithuania reacted particularly strongly to the situation. The country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a representative of the Russian embassy and handed him two notes of protest. The first concerned the incident in Leipzig. The second was related to the continuation of Russian attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.
The Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated that Russia must cease actions that pose a threat to European states. Vilnius also emphasized that it stands ready to respond to such attempts alongside its allies. “All of Russia’s attempts to weaken the common policy of deterrence and resolve to support Ukraine are doomed to failure,” the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry stated.
Vilnius also emphasized that any attempts by Russia to carry out hybrid attacks against European states will be met with a response. Lithuania believes that such actions should be viewed not as isolated incidents, but within the broader context of Russia’s policy of exerting pressure on European countries.
A second note mentioned the strike on Kyiv
Separately, Lithuania reminded Russia of the attack on Kyiv and the Kyiv region on September 1. According to data cited by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry, 12 civilians were killed in that attack. Vilnius called on Moscow to end the war against Ukraine. The Lithuanian side also demands the withdrawal of Russian occupation forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. In other words, Lithuania’s diplomatic protest concerned more than just the events in Germany. The country’s authorities used a meeting with a representative of the Russian embassy to separately remind Moscow of the ongoing war against Ukraine.
For Lithuania, these issues are directly linked to the security of Europe itself. The country shares a border with Russia via the Kaliningrad Oblast and also borders Belarus, which is a military ally of Moscow. Therefore, Vilnius is closely monitoring any actions by Russia that could pose additional risks to the Baltic states and other NATO countries.
Why Is Europe Talking About Hybrid Attacks?
In recent years, European governments have increasingly used the term “hybrid attacks.” These refer to actions that do not necessarily take the form of a direct military strike. They may include cyberattacks, sabotage, attempts to damage critical infrastructure, information campaigns, election interference, or other actions aimed at destabilizing a state.
A distinctive feature of such operations is that it can be more difficult to immediately link them to a specific country. Perpetrators may act through intermediaries, and the operation itself may combine several different tools. European countries have recently made repeated statements about the growing number of such threats from Russia. Countries located closest to the Russian and Belarusian borders are monitoring the situation particularly closely.
It is in this context that Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are responding particularly actively to suspicious incidents. For the Baltic states, security issues are of particular importance due to their geographic location and proximity to Russia.
Why Diplomats Are Summoned to Russia
Summoning a representative from a foreign embassy is an official diplomatic signal. A country can use this method to inform another country of its outrage or disagreement with certain actions. Most often, a note of protest is handed to the representative during the meeting. The document formally records the state’s grievances and demands. Such a step does not automatically mean a severing of diplomatic relations. It is a much milder tool, but at the same time a clear way to demonstrate that a country considers certain actions unacceptable.
In the case of Leipzig, the diplomatic protests also carry political significance. Several European states have effectively coordinated their response and demonstrated support for Germany. This is important in light of future EU and NATO policy. Countries are trying to show that potential hybrid attacks will not remain merely a bilateral issue between Russia and an individual European state.
What Is Germany’s Position?
Germany has become one of the countries most actively warning about Russian hybrid threats. Berlin attributes to Russia a series of actions that may be aimed at destabilizing Germany and other European countries. It was precisely because of the German government’s stance that the incident in Leipzig garnered international attention. Other countries decided to express their support for Berlin through diplomatic channels.
At the same time, the specific circumstances of the attack and evidence of its possible connection to Russia must be established by law enforcement agencies. That is why it is important to distinguish between confirmed facts, government statements, and the results of the investigation in reports about the incident. For European countries, it is of fundamental importance to determine who was behind the attack and what its purpose was. If Russia’s involvement is confirmed, this could serve as grounds for further diplomatic or other measures.
What This Means for Europe
The coordinated response by the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia shows that European states are taking potential Russian hybrid operations increasingly seriously. This is especially true for countries on NATO’s eastern flank. Poland and the Baltic states regularly warn of the risks posed by Russia and Belarus. For them, it is important to prevent a situation where individual incidents are perceived as random and unrelated. That is precisely why governments are exchanging information, strengthening the protection of critical infrastructure, and coordinating their response.
At the same time, diplomatic protests do not signal the start of direct military confrontation. They are, first and foremost, a political and diplomatic message to Russia that its actions are under close scrutiny by European nations. The next steps will depend on the results of the investigation into the incident in Leipzig and on whether new evidence of Russia’s possible involvement is uncovered.
For now, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have already expressed their support for Germany, and Lithuania has additionally used diplomatic channels to condemn Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine. This was reported in statements issued by the foreign ministries of these countries.
German investigators have identified two suspects in the planning of an attack on a Ukrainian passenger plane at Leipzig Airport, uncovering links between their actions and Russia.
It should be noted that Berlin is prepared to officially hold Russia responsible for the attempted drone attack in Leipzig. Germany is also considering the possibility of imposing direct sanctions against Russian entities.
Specifically, the Russian Consulate General in Bonn will be closed, the agreement regarding the “Russian House” in Berlin will be terminated, Berlin will propose new lists of individuals from Russia to the European Union for sanctions in the context of hybrid attacks and will tighten entry controls for Russian citizens. Germany has also announced that it will increase pressure on Russia’s “shadow fleet.”
