Josh Weiner
On Monday, March 4, the Russian Foreign Ministry called in the German ambassador to Moscow for discussions. This action came in response to a leaked wiretap that captured a private conversation among German military officials regarding Ukraine. Russian media outlets reported on the incident, highlighting the tensions between the two nations.
Germany had previously condemned Russia for attempting to “destabilize” the country by releasing the wiretapped dialogue on Russian social media platforms. The leaked conversation involved discussions about the potential deployment of German-manufactured Taurus missiles in the context of the Ukraine conflict.
Russian state media agency RIA Novosti covered the German ambassador’s arrival at the Russian Foreign Ministry, noting his refusal to engage with the questions posed by Russian reporters.
The controversy centers around a 38-minute audio clip that surfaced on Russian social media late Friday. This recording revealed a discussion among German military officers about employing Taurus missiles in Ukraine and debating the strategic implications of targeting specific locations. Notably, they discussed targeting a crucial bridge over the Kerch Strait, which serves as a connection between the Russian mainland and Crimea—a region that Russia annexed in 2014.
The German Defense Ministry has acknowledged the authenticity of the conversation, confirming to AFP that it involved a dialogue within the air force division that appears to have been intercepted.
In light of these developments, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. This incident underscores the ongoing complexities and tensions in the relations between Russia and Germany, particularly against the backdrop of the broader geopolitical conflicts involving Ukraine.
