• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany following the latest attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
• Von der Leyen described the incident as an attack by Russia and said hybrid attacks would not go without a response.
• She said the issue would be discussed with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, while foreign ministers will prepare the matter, including additional sanctions.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged a European response to the hybrid attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, saying the EU stands in “full solidarity” with Germany. Von der Leyen said on X on Tuesday that she had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the incident, which she described as an attack by Russia.

“I assured him that the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia,” von der Leyen said.

This morning I spoke with Chancellor Merz to discuss the hybrid attack at Leipzig airport.

I assured him that the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia.

We will keep the EU united despite these escalating and serious acts. The German…

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) September 1, 2026

“We will keep the EU united despite these escalating and serious acts. The German government has taken strong measures. And the message is clear: hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response. We are united in our resolve to stand against Russian aggression. We will deter anyone who seeks to undermine our freedom and security. Russia is seeking to sow distrust and fear among our societies. But it will fail. And we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. I will discuss this topic tomorrow with NATO Secretary General Rutte. And the matter, including additional sanctions, will be prepared by Foreign Ministers at their upcoming meeting under the Irish Presidency,” she said.

What are other European leaders saying?

Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte said he had spoken with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and expressed NATO’s “full solidarity” with Germany following what he described as the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

“The evidence is clear. And I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response. NATO will continue to strengthen our ability to deter and defend all Allies against any threat, including malign actions like those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere across the Alliance. Russia’s attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our unity and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and will fail. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering, as is our ironclad commitment to NATO’s collective defence,” he said.

I just spoke with @Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz. NATO stands in full solidarity with Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig on 14 August.

The evidence is clear. And I welcome the measures announced by Germany in response. NATO will continue to strengthen our ability…

— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) September 1, 2026

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he was in close contact with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and had assured him of Sweden’s “full solidarity” with Germany following what he described as the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

“I am in close contact with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. I have assured him that Sweden stands in full solidarity with Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig. Sweden fully supports the strong measures taken by the German government. We are united, and we will continue to stand up for our ally and neighbour. Russia wants to intimidate us, to undermine our united deterrence and scare us into backing down from our support to Ukraine. This will fail. Together with our allies, we are determined to increase our collective defence efforts and strengthen our deterrence. In light of the developments, I will chair a meeting of the National Security Council tomorrow morning,” said Ulf Kristersson.

I am in close contact with Chancellor Friedrich Merz. I have assured him that Sweden stands in full solidarity with Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

Sweden fully supports the strong measures taken by the German government. We are united, and we will continue…

— Ulf Kristersson (@SwedishPM) September 1, 2026

Finnish President Alexander Stubb said Finland stood in “full solidarity” with Germany following what he described as the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

“We know the Russian playbook. It attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. It will not succeed,” Stubb said on X.

He said the measures announced by the German government demonstrated that actions against its allies would receive a “clear response”.

Stubb reiterated Finland’s support for Ukraine and said he remained in close contact with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other allies.

“Our commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s aggression is unwavering,” he said.

Finland stands in full solidarity with its ally Germany after the Russian hybrid attack in Leipzig.

We know the Russian playbook. It attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our resolve and our willingness to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. It will not…

— Alexander Stubb (@alexstubb) September 1, 2026

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Poland stood firmly behind allies targeted by what he described as Russia’s hybrid war and expressed “full solidarity” with Germany.

“Poland stands foursquare behind every ally attacked by Russia’s hybrid war,” Sikorski said on X.

He said collective countermeasures would be discussed at the Gymnich meeting in Ireland on Tuesday evening and Wednesday.

Poland stands forsquare behind every ally attacked by Russia’s hybrid war.
In this case, full solidarity with Germany.
Looking forward to discussing collective countermeasures at the Gymnich meeting in Ireland tonight and tomorrow. https://t.co/87QLEdWswL

— Radosław Sikorski (@sikorskiradek) September 1, 2026

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