Russia to shut Germany’s cultural centers in retaliation

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insisted that Russia tried to hit cargo planes at the airport, which could have resulted in enormous damage and possibly loss of life.

“This was an attack using military-grade material, carried out by Russian operatives on EU soil,” Leyen stated at a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Brussels.

The top official vowed that Europe and NATO would further increase the pressure on Russia until it “stops bombing and killing innocent children, men and women in Ukraine”.

Leyen said allies must treat key infrastructure as frontline targets and protect it, noting that the EU’s Rapid Response Teams can respond to attacks within or outside the union.

The diplomat, however, confirmed a new payment request worth several billion euros to cover Ukraine’s air defences, including PAC-3 Patriot air defence systems.