Germany 'wants war again', Russia FM says, dismissing drone accusations

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday that Germany wants war again, dismissing Berlin's accusation that Moscow was behind a drone attack on Leipzig airport. The comments appeared in an interview published by Russian state broadcaster Vesti TV. Germany had blamed Russia for sending agents on an attempted hybrid attack.

Why does Russia say Germany wants war again?

Lavrov said the closure of consulates and cultural centers marked, by and large, the start of a real war, comparing the moment to events before the Second World War. He said Germany had expelled Russia's consulate general from Bonn and was closing the Russian House cultural center in Berlin, calling these signs that Berlin wants war again.

What is Germany accusing Russia of?

The German government blamed Moscow for the incident, saying Russia sent low-level agents for an attempted hybrid attack involving an explosive-laden drone at the strategic airport in eastern Germany. Moscow and Berlin closed each other's cultural centres this week. EU countries also summoned Russian envoys over the accusation.

How has Russia responded diplomatically?

Lavrov accused Germany of Nazism and said the Russian leadership would draw the appropriate conclusions. Part of the interview was published by Russia's Vesti TV channel. Germany is one of Ukraine's main allies in its war against Russia.

Lavrov, the longest-serving Russian minister, spoke as Moscow's offensive against Ukraine, Europe's worst conflict since World War II, has dragged on for more than four and a half years. He also spoke ahead of tightly controlled parliamentary elections in Russia later this month.