Russia accuses Germany of seeking war again after Leipzig drone dispute

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Germany of seeking war with Russia again, drawing parallels to World War II after Berlin accused Moscow of sending an explosive-laden drone to Leipzig airport. He warned the German government would face consequences. Germany announced the closure of Russia's last consulate in Bonn and the Russian cultural center in Berlin by September 18, following the drone accusation. Lavrov claimed Germans also closed diplomatic missions before World War II, suggesting they want war again. Lavrov also criticized Chancellor Friedrich Merz, saying he is moving toward a declaration of war and that "metastases of Nazism" are spreading. Russia responded by closing the Goethe Institute and summoning Germany's charge d'affaires, while President Vladimir Putin called Germany's measures a "gross new mistake."