EU, Nato chiefs slam Russia’s attempt to attack cargo planes at Leipzig Halle airport

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte slammed on September 2 Russia’s attempted attack on cargo planes at Germany’s Leipzig Halle airport and saying that it would not deter support for Ukraine.

Von der Leyen and Rutte were speaking before holding talks in Brussels.

The German government has identified Russia as behind an attempt to attack cargo planes at Leipzig Halle airport, Von der Leyen said.

“Had this attack succeeded, this would have resulted in enormous damage and possibly even loss of life,” she said.

“So I want to be very clear about what this was. This was an attack using military grade material carried out by Russian operatives on European Union soil.”

“We will not tolerate it. We stand in full solidarity with Germany and if the intention was to make us think twice about supporting Ukraine, I can tell you it has only strengthened my resolve. Intimidation will not work and this is why I’m meeting with Nato’s Secretary General today,” Von der Leyen said.

We are united, she said.

“Europe and Nato will not just maintain our pressure on Russia, we will increase it and we will not stop, not until Russia stops bombing and killing innocent children, men and women in Ukraine.”

Leipzig marks a new escalation on European Union soil directly attributed to Russia, “but it is part of a broader pattern of increasingly dangerous incidents, repeated incursions in our airspace, drones that paralyse our airports, interference with our critical infrastructure,” Von der Leyen said.

Europeans are faced with the hard truth that this is the new normal, she said.

“We have to step up and that means being ready to respond to Russia’s recklessness faster and better. We must treat our everyday infrastructure as frontline targets and protect them accordingly and we will support any member state Russia targets.”

“Europe has already rapid response teams which can respond to these style of attacks whether they occur inside or outside our Union, so our strength, our preparedness and our resolve is our deterrence. We also do this by using the power of our single market. Our sanctions have weakened Russia’s economy,” Von der Leyen said.

“We can more use more sanctions and have them ready to impose as soon as such dangerous life-threatening acts are attributed. Every loophole Russia exploits is one we must close and in Ireland today European foreign affairs ministers are discussing new listings and at the Commission we’re looking at ways to cut deeper into Russia’s war chest. My second point today regards our support for Ukraine.”

Von der Leyen confirmed that the Commission had on September 2 received a new payment request.

She said that it is worth several billion euro and would cover Ukraine’s air defences including the highly advanced PAC-3 Patriot air defence systems.

“We need a faster more integrated alert system across Europe and then we must intercept the threats faster. This is why we have put forward an 800 billion euro defence investment plan including the 150 billion euro through SAFE so we can invest more but together and therefore smarter.”

We are in a new era of European security, Von der Leyen said.

“European investment in defence strengthens Nato and re-energises our industrial base. We will continue, we will prevail and we will deter anyone who attacks our freedom and our security.”

Rutte said: “Allies are united in their commitment to each other, to our collective defence and we are clear-eyed about how important it is that we work together including with the European Union to ensure we have what we need to address the threats we face”.

Russia has grown increasingly reckless as they continue their terrible war against Ukraine, Rutte said.

“We’ve seen more drones and missiles crossing into our airspace along our eastern flank creating increased risk and we have also seen an increase in malign activities targeting our territory directly,” he said.

“Whether it is fires set in factories reducing defence equipment for Ukraine or indeed the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig and yes we stand in full solidarity with Germany, the whole alliance and the European Union,” Rutte said.

“The dangers Russia poses are clear and we are working around the clock to ensure that we are prepared to keep our people safe. If Russia thinks we will be divided by the threat or if they think we will be deterred from supporting Ukraine they are mistaken. Our unity is unshaken,” he said.