Germany blames Russia for Leipzig plane sabotage attempt, expels diplomats, and restricts visas

German authorities have officially blamed Russia for an attempted act of sabotage against a Ukrainian An-124 cargo plane at Leipzig airport. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul laid out Berlin’s position at a news conference.

Wadephul said Germany would respond by closing the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the “Russian House” [cultural center] in Berlin. He also summoned Russia’s ambassador to the German Foreign Ministry.

German authorities will also tighten entry rules for Russian citizens.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU “stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia.” She promised to discuss the matter with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and said EU foreign ministers would begin preparing additional sanctions.

Rutte, for his part, said that “the evidence [of Russia’s involvement in the sabotage] is clear.” “I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response,” he said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova criticized the German authorities’ actions. “They’ve invented a pretext. Meanwhile, Berlin itself is thoroughly tainted both by stoking the Ukrainian conflict and by taking part in terrorist attacks against civilians,” she said. Zakharova also said she believed the “Russian House” had “long been a thorn in the side” of the German authorities, and she promised that Russia would “respond” to the decision to close it.

This is a developing story.