The German Foreign Ministry has responded to Russia’s recent publication of a list identifying European defense industry manufacturers, asserting that such actions are intended to undermine support for Ukraine and test European unity. The ministry emphasized that Germany will not be intimidated by direct threats from Russia.
In a statement released on April 20, officials described the potential threats as “absolutely unacceptable” and condemned any espionage activities occurring within Germany. In light of these developments, the Russian ambassador was summoned for discussions.
As of now, the Russian Foreign Ministry has not issued a response to Germany’s statement. Earlier on the same day, Latvia’s State Security Service indicated that Russia’s public declarations regarding potential targets in European nations further confirm the Kremlin’s readiness for aggression.
On April 15, the Russian Ministry of Defense warned European countries about security threats posed by joint ventures in drone production and other components for Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. The list published included 11 Ukrainian companies located in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Latvia, Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, 10 companies in the Czech Republic, Israel, Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Germany were identified as manufacturers of weapon components.
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, referred to the list as a “catalog of potential targets” for Russian military operations.
Germany has condemned recent threats from Russia, asserting that they aim to weaken support for Ukraine. The response includes summoning the Russian ambassador, amidst rising tensions over defense industry collaborations in Europe.