Germany Summons Russian Ambassador Over Alleged Destabilization Campaign

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief, reporting from Budapest

BERLIN/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Germany on Friday summoned the Russian ambassador amid allegations that Moscow is conducting a coordinated campaign to destabilize the country, the European Union’s largest economy, according to government officials.

A spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Ministry said authorities are “observing a significant increase in Russian hybrid activities,” warning that the actions appear aimed at undermining Germany’s political stability.

The spokesperson attributed the alleged operations to a Russian-linked network known as Storm-1516, which specializes in foreign information manipulation and interference.

German officials said the network was involved in activities intended to disrupt the country’s February federal elections, raising concerns over election security and democratic resilience.

GERMANY CITES HYBRID THREATS AND CYBER ATTACKS

Separately, the German government also blamed a cyberattack on German air safety systems in August on the Russian hacker group APT28, which Western intelligence agencies have previously linked to Russia’s military intelligence service.

Berlin said the summoning of the Russian ambassador was meant to convey that Germany is closely monitoring Moscow’s actions and reserves the right to respond.

“We made it clear that we are monitoring Russia’s actions very closely and will take action against them,” the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

The ministry added that Berlin would decide on further diplomatic measures at a later stage.

BRITAIN ISSUES SIMILAR WARNING

Germany’s move followed a similar warning earlier this week from Britain, which also accused the Storm-1516 network of engaging in foreign interference activities.

Western governments have increasingly accused Russia of using cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, and proxy networks to destabilize European democracies amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Moscow has repeatedly denied such allegations, calling them politically motivated.

ZELENSKYY EXPECTED IN BERLIN

The diplomatic tensions emerged as German sources confirmed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Berlin on Monday for a new round of talks with European leaders.

Germany’s largest tabloid, Bild, reported “unusually enhanced” security measures in place around the German parliament and in the airspace above Berlin ahead of the anticipated visit.

Zelenskyy is expected to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the newspaper said.

PEACE TALKS REMAIN UNCERTAIN

Bild added that it remained unclear whether a U.S. representative would join the talks.

European officials say concerns are growing over whether meaningful peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv remain possible nearly four years into Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.

Fresh reports of intense fighting on Friday underscored the continuing volatility of the war and the broader security risks facing Europe.

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