EU considers further sanctions after alleged Russian drone attack in Leipzig

Dublin, Ireland. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday that an attempted drone attack in Leipzig had all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism, following Germany’s conclusion that Russia was responsible.

Sanctions and pressure

Speaking before an informal meeting of European foreign ministers in Ireland, Kallas said Europe needed to coordinate further action amid what she described as an escalation of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

She said work was ongoing on 1,600 sanctions listings related to Russia’s military complex and that additional listings could be added.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen said the bloc needed to explore all options for tightening sanctions on Moscow.

Response to hybrid activities

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Europe needed to consider its options and respond to Russia’s hybrid activities.

He said Russia did not appear to see a political cost for such actions, which he described as a cheap way to create tensions in European societies. He said Europe’s goal was to show that the activities would not intimidate it, prevent support for Ukraine or weaken pressure on Russia.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the EU would work in the coming weeks on further sanctions against Russian individuals.

“Pressure on Russia is being stepped up and support for Ukraine also remains at a high level,” he said.

Support for Ukraine

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukrainians were facing daily attacks and that Kyiv was working with European countries that have interceptors in storage.