Lavrov accuses Germany of seeking war over Leipzig drone dispute

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Germany of seeking a new war, comparing Berlin's response to a drone incident in Leipzig to its actions before World War II. He made the remarks following Germany's closure of Russian diplomatic institutions. Germany attributed an August hybrid attack on Leipzig/Halle airport to Russia, which denies involvement. Lavrov dismissed the drone discovery as uninvestigated and called the reaction "the beginning of a real war," also criticizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz's military ambitions. Lavrov announced Moscow would close Goethe Institutes in Russia in retaliation. Russian Ambassador Sergey Nechayev separately denied responsibility, suggesting a real Russian operation would have been more effective.