Germany to take new steps against espionage and sabotage: Gov't spokesman

Germany will take new steps to combat espionage and sabotage attempts as it continues to face hybrid attacks from Russia, the government said late Monday after a National Security Council meeting.

German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said the council reviewed Germany’s exposure to hybrid threats following a drone attack at Leipzig Airport last month, which authorities say was planned by Russian intelligence.

“The National Security Council obtained a comprehensive picture of the situation,” Kornelius said in a statement after the meeting, which was chaired by Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “It assumes that Germany will remain a target of hybrid attacks by Russia.”

He said the council continued talks on how the federal government will respond to future hybrid attacks and reviewed measures already agreed under the action plan to defend against hybrid threats.

“It decided on new steps against espionage and sabotage as well as for the protection of critical infrastructure,” the statement said.

The meeting followed weeks of intensive coordination among the relevant ministries represented on the National Security Council, Kornelius said.

Critical raw materials and strategic dependencies

During its meeting, the council also agreed on steps to cut Germany’s one-sided reliance on foreign suppliers in areas that matter for the economy and security.

“In this context, it decided on a swift revision of investment-screening legislation and measures to ensure a diversified and resilient supply of critical raw materials,” the statement said.

Kornelius also noted that a Raw Materials Fund, set up by the government, remains the main financing tool under its Raw Materials Policy Action Plan.

The National Security Council also again discussed military and civilian defense, as well as the security implications of artificial intelligence.