Current location:style >>
Russia summons German diplomat over leaked tape
style73418People have gathered around
IntroductionThe Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador on Monday, TASS news agency reported, af ...
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador on Monday, TASS news agency reported, after Russian media published an audio recording of Berlin's potential involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.
In the purported call released by Russia's RT broadcaster, German military officers were heard discussing weapons for Ukraine and a potential strike by Kyiv on a bridge in Crimea, prompting Russian officials to demand an explanation.
The Kremlin said on Monday that the content of a leaked conversation between German officials about potential strikes on Crimea proved Western countries were participating in the conflict in Ukraine.
"The recording itself suggests that the Bundeswehr is discussing substantively and specifically plans to strike Russian territory," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov was speaking as the German ambassador to Russia was summoned to the foreign ministry in Moscow.
Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff left the ministry building without giving any comment, Russian news agencies reported.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council also said on Monday that Moscow would show restraint in response to the purported intercept of the German military discussing a strike on Russia, but would not forget about it.
He made the comments at a youth forum in southern Russia, the RIA news agency reported.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius earlier responded to the leak, describing it as part of Russia's "information war" against the West, and that it was aimed to create discord within Germany.
In the 38-minute recording, German military officers also discussed how the Taurus long-range cruise missiles could be used by Ukraine. It was said the audio was leaked as a debate had been taking place in Germany over whether to supply the missiles.
Pistorius told reporters on Sunday that the Bundeswehr officers did not discuss specific plans, but talked about hypothetical options, keeping in mind that Germany should not become part of the conflict in Ukraine.
He said the timing was not a coincidence.
"It is part of an information war …There is absolutely no doubt about that," he said. "It is a hybrid attack aimed at disinformation. It is about division. It is about undermining our resolve."
He also said it does not mean it is a green light to supply the weapons to Ukraine.
On Saturday, the German Defense Ministry confirmed the call had been wiretapped. Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged a prompt investigation into the situation.
Earlier last week, Scholz said he remains reluctant to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, pointing to a risk of Germany becoming directly involved in the conflict. His hesitancy is a source of friction in his three-party coalition and also annoyed Germany's conservative opposition.
NATO member Turkiye hopes talks for a cease-fire in Ukraine will start soon, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday after meeting his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
Rail network targeted
But a truce seemed to be far away from happening as Ukraine said it blew up a railway bridge in Russia's southwestern Samara region on Monday because it was being used to transport "military cargo". It was the latest in a string of explosions targeting Russia's rail network.
Meanwhile, NATO was scheduled to kick off an exercise on Monday to defend its newly expanded Nordic territory, with more than 20,000 soldiers from 13 nations expected to take part in drills lasting nearly two weeks in the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden.
With over 4,000 Finnish soldiers taking part, the Norway-led Nordic Response 2024 represents the NATO newcomer's largest-ever participation in a foreign exercise, Finland's military said.
Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometer border with Russia, joined NATO in April in a historic move following decades of military nonalignment. With its bid now ratified by all NATO members, neighboring Sweden is currently finalizing formalities to enter the military alliance as its 32nd member — most likely in March.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Global Grandstand news portal”。http://bolivia.brianlynch.org/news-39d699946.html
Related articles
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
styleChildren have been evacuated from a school with Year 11 students told to leave mid-exam after a thre ...
【style】
Read moreIsrael strikes on Rafah to cover hostage extraction kill 37 people
styleA father holds his wounded daughter in hospital following Israeli bombardments over Rafah in the sou ...
【style】
Read moreWeather: Easter weekend chill calls for extra layers
styleThe South Island will see the sun, the North Island will have some unsettled weather. Photo: Unsplas ...
【style】
Read more
Popular articles
- Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
- TAIC adds rail worker safety to watchlist after near death incident on Wellington train line
- Weather: Easter weekend chill calls for extra layers
- 'It's a deliberate strategy to erase us' – Whanganui iwi prepare for national hui
- Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
- US intends further strikes on Iran
Latest articles
Baby Reindeer's real
Study finds vapers and smokers have some similar cell changes
COP28 deal 'significant step forward', Climate Change Minister says
Ghahraman back in New Zealand amid shoplifting claims
Iran helicopter crash: President Raisi, the supreme leader's protege, dies at 63
Former National MP Alfred Ngaro interviewed by police after family fight next to mum’s coffin
LINKS
- Chris Pratt spends Mother's Day with wife Katherine Schwarzenegger and mother
- New Jersey lawmakers pass overhaul of state's open records law
- 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' reigns at the box...
- Hedge fund operators go on trial after multibillion
- Jimmy Dunne resigns from PGA Tour board
- Gucci hosts star
- Lisa Bluder retires after Clark
- 76 years of Nakba: Palestinians fear a repeat of their painful history
- Christian Bale and 10
- Indonesia flash floods: Rescuers search through rivers, rubble for survivors