Trump contradicts Merz government on Leipzig drone discovery: “I know Putin very well”
Trump rejected claims that Putin plans to attack NATO territory, creating a rift with German Chancellor Merz over a drone incident at Leipzig/Halle Airport that Germany blamed on Russia.
Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump dismissed suggestions that Russia poses an imminent threat to the Atlantic alliance. When directly asked by a reporter whether the discovery of an explosive drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany should be considered an attack on NATO territory, according to Junge Freiheit, Trump responded negatively and said he and Putin maintain communication.
The president’s remarks put him at odds with Chancellor Merz of the Christian Democratic Union, who has taken a significantly harder line on Moscow’s alleged involvement in the drone incident. Internal German government sources cited by Junge Freiheit reveal that Merz had already pushed during a cabinet retreat on August 25 and 26 to publicly name the Kremlin as the orchestrator of the attempted attack. At that point, the chancellor believed the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to make such an accusation.
Trump distanziert sich von Merz bezüglich der Drohnengeschichte. Es fragt sich nur, wer dann die „Hintermänner“ sind, die Wadephul und Dobrindt die Texte vorlegen. https://t.co/pKBGNKXUKA
— Björn Höcke (@BjoernHoecke) September 4, 2026
However, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the Christian Social Union and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, also of the CDU, initially urged caution, pointing to ongoing investigations and the risk of Russian countermeasures.
Germany Points Finger at Moscow
On September 1, the German government officially blamed Russia for the attempted attack, as Junge Freiheit reports. Wadephul characterized the incident as a Russian assault on German security, while Dobrindt cited the construction of the drones, the ignition technology used, and intelligence service findings as evidence of Russian involvement.
Trump’s dismissal of the NATO threat narrative marks a clear divergence from the increasingly confrontational posture adopted by Berlin, raising questions about transatlantic coordination on Russia policy at a critical juncture.
New Diplomatic Push on Ukraine
Even as tensions simmer over the drone affair, Trump has launched a fresh diplomatic initiative aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. His envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to visit Russia first, followed by a trip to Kyiv on Sunday. Trump has expressed optimism about achieving progress in the negotiations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj confirmed the travel plans and announced that Ukraine would suspend air strikes during the visit to ensure the safe arrival of the American negotiators. He called on Russia to halt its attacks for the duration of the talks as well.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskow declined to confirm the planned meeting initially. Witkoff and Kushner previously met with Putin in Moscow in January, but those discussions ended without a breakthrough, as Russia continues to demand the full withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the entire Donbass region as a precondition for any settlement.
With information from Junge Freiheit
