Germany’s Ambassador to Russia, Alexander Lambsdorff, was called to Russia’s foreign ministry due to a meeting in Kyiv between Bundestag member Roderich Kiesewetter and Akhmed Zakayev, the leader of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. Kiesewetter, a member of the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs from the ruling Christian Democratic Union party, engaged in discussions with Zakayev. The Chechen Republic of Ichkeria is considered a terrorist organization by Russia and is on the international wanted list.
Russia expressed concerns to Germany about the potential negative consequences of such interactions and emphasized that any hostile actions against Russia would be met with a corresponding response. The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly protesting the meeting in Kyiv, facilitated by the Ukrainian government, between Kiesewetter and Zakayev. The statement highlighted the German authorities’ alleged intentions to interfere in Russia’s internal affairs and pose threats to national security by collaborating with banned terrorist groups.
Moscow condemned the meeting between the German parliament member and individuals labeled as criminals, citing it as clear evidence of Germany’s desire to meddle in Russia’s internal matters and endanger its security. The Russian government accused the German deputy of endorsing the anti-Russian activities of terrorists associated with the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. The statement further claimed that the German official encouraged these individuals to recruit Russian expatriates residing in Germany for operations aimed at destabilizing the socio-political landscape in Russia.
