Kallas: Suspected Russian attack at Leipzig airport was state terrorism, EU discusses response

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, described Russia’s attempt to carry out a drone attack at Leipzig airport last month as an incident that “had all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism.” Her statement comes ahead of her leading discussions on the EU’s political response.

Foreign ministers of the member states will meet today in Wicklow, Ireland, at a meeting chaired by Kallas. At the center of the discussions will be the question of “what more we can do,” after Germany officially accused Russia of the incident.

According to Kallas, the event should serve as a wake-up call for states that have delayed imposing new sanctions on Moscow. “If we want to end this war, we all need to focus our efforts and take it to a new level,” she said.

Meanwhile, the European Union and France have summoned senior Russian officials to discuss the attack.

The meeting will also address ways in which the EU can increase its support for Ukraine, at a time when, according to Kallas, “Russia is escalating the situation, killing civilians and causing as much damage as it can.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will hold a separate meeting today with NATO’s Mark Rutte. The Leipzig incident and the situation in Ukraine are also expected to be among the main topics of that discussion.