EU pursuing more Russia sanctions after failed airport attack: Kallas

What the report says

European Union foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc is preparing additional sanctions on Russia after Germany accused Moscow of involvement in a failed drone attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport. The comments, reported by Al Jazeera and published on 2 September 2026, came as EU officials framed the incident as part of broader pressure on Europe and a further escalation on EU territory.

According to the report, three drones carrying explosives were discovered at or near the airport on 4 August, briefly disrupting air traffic. Germany has blamed Russia for the incident, while Moscow has denied responsibility and said the evidence was planted. Russian officials also rejected the allegation when Germany’s envoy was summoned.

Kallas said the EU was working on tighter sanctions enforcement and moving toward more measures, including plans to add around 1,600 more people and entities linked to Russia’s military sector to the bloc’s sanctions list. She also said there was support among foreign ministers for restricting travel by former Russian military personnel and possibly tightening visa rules for Russian tourists.

The article adds that the EU has already sanctioned more than 3,000 Russian officials, oligarchs and companies since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The latest debate shows how the bloc is continuing to use economic and travel restrictions as its main response while the war in Ukraine drags on.