Germany’s defense minister today accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to “destabilize” the country, after Russia released confidential conversations between German officers about arms deliveries to Ukraine.
“This recording is being used to destabilize” and harm its “unity”. GermanyBoris Pistorius told reporters in Berlin.
“This is clearly about undermining our unity (…), about causing political division at home and I sincerely hope that Putin will not succeed and we will remain united,” he added.
Russian media on Friday released a 38-minute recording of a telephone conversation between German officers in which they are heard discussing arms for Ukraine and a possible Kiev strike on a bridge in Crimea. Russian officials demanded an explanation.
Yesterday, Saturday, Germany spoke of an apparent wiretapping and stated that it is investigating the matter.
“The episode is much bigger than a simple interception and release of a conversation … It is part of an information war being waged by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin,” Pistorius said today.
“It’s a hybrid disinformation attack. It’s about division. It’s about undermining our unity.”
The Russian embassy in Berlin did not respond to a request for comment.
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