Russia accuses Germany of seeking war in escalating diplomatic row

Russia's foreign minister accused Germany of seeking war in an interview published Sunday, dismissing Berlin's claim that Moscow orchestrated a drone attack on Leipzig airport. The accusation follows reciprocal closures of cultural centers and EU summons of Russian envoys. Sergei Lavrov told state TV that Germany's actions, including expelling a consulate and closing a cultural center, echo pre-World War II behavior, calling it "the start of a real war." He alleged German Nazism and said Russia would draw conclusions, as Germany remains a key Ukraine ally. The remarks come amid Russia's ongoing offensive in Ukraine, Europe's worst conflict since WWII, now in its fifth year. Lavrov spoke before Russia's tightly controlled parliamentary elections scheduled later this month.