Summoned

The EU on Wednesday said it had summoned Russia's top diplomat as it eyed sanctions after a drone incident in Germany that the bloc's foreign policy chief said bore the marks of "state-sponsored terrorism". The incident involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport has heightened fears over a sabotage campaign that the EU and NATO say is a Russian attempt to destabilise Ukraine's backers.

"It is clear that it has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. "We will not let an act of such gravity go unpunished," French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, adding he had summoned Russia's envoy in Paris. Germany blamed Moscow for the Leipzig incident on Tuesday and said it was shutting a Russian consulate and ending the contract for a cultural centre in Berlin.

"New normal"

Russia's President Vladimir Putin branded those moves "another mistake, a serious one", saying it "clearly runs counter to the interests of the German people". EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Europe had to face "the hard truth that this is the new normal." "We do not seek conflict with Russia, but Russia seems to be at hybrid war with us," said Polish top diplomat Radoslaw Sikorski.

EU foreign ministers will discuss ongoing work to impose sanctions on 1'600 individuals and entities linked to Russia's military industry. Lithuania's foreign minister Kestutis Budrys called for more to be done, saying "it is obvious Russia does not see the political cost of the hybrid activities against us."