Photo: Collected

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Sept 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen vowed "full solidarity" with Berlin on Tuesday, after the German government said Moscow was behind an incident involving an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport last month.

"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," Rutte wrote on X following talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

Rutte said Berlin had put forward "clear" evidence of Moscow's role in the "hybrid attack" and welcomed the measures announced in response.

"Russia's attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our unity and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and will fail," he added.

The European Commission president, who likewise spoke with Merz, vowed to "keep the EU united despite these escalating and serious acts".

"I assured him that the EU stands in full solidarity with Germany in the face of this attack by Russia," von der Leyen wrote on X.

"The German government has taken strong measures. And the message is clear: hybrid attacks will not go without a clear response," she said, adding the bloc was preparing additional sanctions against Russia.

"We are united in our resolve to stand against Russian aggression. We will deter anyone who seeks to undermine our freedom and security," the commission chief wrote.

Von der Leyen and Rutte were to discuss the matter further during talks Wednesday in Brussels -- while in parallel EU foreign ministers would take up the matter of sanctions during talks in Ireland.