German Ambassador Lambsdorff has been called to Moscow.
In a series of escalating events, Russia and Germany have found themselves at odds, with both nations summoning each other's ambassadors.
The latest development came on Monday morning, when Moscow correspondent Rainer Munz suggested that the US handling of Russia is based on a misunderstanding. In response, German ambassador to Moscow, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, was summoned by the Russian Foreign Ministry. The reason for the summoning was Germany’s alleged questioning of Russian sovereignty over the southern Kuril Islands claimed by Japan.
Moscow protested Germany's perceived recognition of Japan's territorial claims, which Russia asserts violate the post-World War II order recognized by the United Nations. This action followed statements made by the German ambassador to Japan, Petra Sigmund, and a related visit by German diplomats to a Japanese city near the Kuril Islands, which Moscow criticized as undermining Russia's territorial integrity.
The summoning is distinct from an earlier incident where Moscow summoned the German envoy to protest Berlin's treatment of Russian journalists, but these separate summons reflect ongoing strained Russia-Germany relations since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022.
Meanwhile, on the Ukrainian front, the situation remains tense. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that mercenaries from China, Pakistan, and African countries are fighting for Russia on the frontlines in the northeastern region of Kharkiv. The Ukrainian military also reported 183 clashes with Russia in the past 24 hours, with the most intense fighting in the Pokrovsk region.
Ukraine is increasingly using small drones to shoot down Russian aircraft. In a significant development, the Ukrainian military has attacked a fuel depot at Sochi airport in southern Russia, using drones.
The conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians. At least seven civilian deaths and 13 injuries occurred in Russian attacks on Ukraine over the past day. One person was killed in Russian shelling in the Cherson region this morning. President Zelenskyy condemned Russian attacks on civilian targets and accused Russia of hunting civilians along the front line.
In a positive development, Ukraine and Russia are working on an exchange of 1,200 prisoners of war each, as agreed upon during the third round of peace talks in Istanbul on July 23.
Elsewhere, the German air force is deploying five Eurofighter combat aircraft to Poland for several weeks. The Netherlands is participating in the new NATO financing mechanism for Ukraine.
Russia is not only engaging in military activities. Russia and China are conducting joint naval maneuvers in the Sea of Japan, including artillery and anti-submarine warfare exercises. Russia's new icebreaking nuclear submarine "Knyaz Pozharsky" is ready for deployment near Norway.
In a separate incident, Dasha Loskutova and Karina Oshurkova, Russian influencers, have been arrested for uploading a video near a burning oil dump in Sochi.
The political landscape is shifting, with US President Donald Trump planning to send special envoy Witkoff to Russia this week and threatening sanctions if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine by Friday. However, Russia's delay in Witkoff's trip to Russia is a cause for political speculation, according to Thomas Hunter.
In a surprising turn of events, US President Trump also threatens India with "significantly" higher tariffs due to its purchases of Russian oil.
Amidst all this, a poll conducted in Germany revealed that only about one in six Germans would definitely fight for their country in the event of a defense crisis.
[1] Russia protests German diplomats' visit to Japanese city near disputed islands [2] German ambassador summoned over Kuril Islands row [3] Germany's Kuril Islands Visit Sparks Russian Anger
- The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador over Germany's perceived recognition of Japan's territorial claims on the Kuril Islands, with Moscow asserting that it violates the post-World War II order and undermines Russia's territorial integrity.
- Amid escalating tensions between Russia and Germany, Moscow demonstrated its disapproval of Germany's actions in the war-and-conflicts domain, specifically Germany's visit to a Japanese city near the disputed Kuril Islands, sparking a political disagreement on general-news issues.
