Germany's top diplomat has accused Russia's military intelligence service of orchestrating an 'absolutely intolerable' cyberattack, leading to heightened tensions between the two countries. The cyberattack targeted the Social Democrats, a prominent party in Germany's governing coalition, with the German Foreign Minister attributing the attack to a group known as APT28, allegedly controlled by the Russian military intelligence service.
The European Union has joined Germany in condemning Russia's actions, stating that they will not tolerate such malicious behavior in cyberspace. The EU highlighted that Czechia's institutions were also targeted in the cyber campaign orchestrated by APT28. The EU has previously imposed sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for similar attacks in the past and emphasized that such actions will not be overlooked, especially with EU elections on the horizon.
The EU's top diplomat emphasized Russia's continuous pattern of irresponsible behavior in cyberspace, targeting democratic institutions, government entities, and critical infrastructure providers across the EU and beyond. The EU and its member states are committed to collaborating with international partners to ensure a secure and stable cyberspace.
Meanwhile, Germany's foreign minister is on a diplomatic visit to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, focusing on security policy amid China's increasing influence in the Pacific region. Discussions between Germany and Australia centered on the conflict in Gaza, with both countries advocating for a two-state solution to end the cycle of violence in the Middle East.
The visit underscores the close defense cooperation between Germany and Australia, with plans to deepen and expand their partnership to address shared security threats. The diplomatic efforts aim to strengthen international cooperation and promote a free, stable, and secure cyberspace for all nations.
