Lavrov declares Germany at war with Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared on Sunday that Germany is essentially at war with Russia, stating that Berlin's response to an alleged drone attack on LeipzigHalle Airport represents a move toward direct military confrontation. The remarks came as Germany is preparing to significantly increase its military and intelligence support for Ukraine. Lavrov criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, whose statements about Germany becoming a leading military power in Europe were seen by the Russian minister as a precursor to conflict. "All these statements by Merz about making Germany the leading military power in Europe once again they are being put into practice," Lavrov stated, according to state news agency TASS. "He is, in effect, declaring war on us." Germany's planned response to what it described as a Russian sabotage operation at the airport includes sending thousands of attack drones and additional missiles for Ukraine's IrisT air defense systems this month.