Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said intelligence findings indicated that people involved in the attack had been acting on behalf of Russian state agencies.
"Taken together, police investigations, patterns of the offences and intelligence findings establish Russian responsibility for the attempted attack at Leipzig Airport," Dobrindt said, as cited by the Reuters news agency.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany did not view the Leipzig incident as isolated. "It fits into a broader pattern of Russian hybrid operations in Europe," he said.
Wadephul said Germany would close Russia's consulate general in Bonn and terminate its agreement with the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin, Reuters reported.
"Germany remains secure, and Germany will defend itself against adversaries who seek to create insecurity," Wadephul said. "We will not allow Russia's attacks to divide or intimidate us in our social cohesion."
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would respond to what she called Berlin's "anti-Russian action," according to Russian state news agency Interfax, cited by Reuters.
Germany and Europe more broadly face a serious threat from such "hybrid" actions, Dobrindt said.
"These actions target critical infrastructure, defense companies and support for Ukraine," he said.
Germany will also push within the European Union for additional sanctions listings and travel restrictions on Russian nationals while increasing pressure on Russia's "shadow fleet," Wadephul said, according to Reuters.
He added that Germany would "continue its civilian and military support for Ukraine and will resolutely continue its solidarity with Ukraine in its defence against Russia's war of aggression."
'Full solidarity with Germany': Polish FM
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte welcomed "the measures announced by Germany in response" and said the Western military alliance would "continue to strengthen its "ability to deter and defend all Allies against any threat – including malign actions like those seen in Leipzig and elsewhere across the Alliance."
He added: "Russia’s attempts to intimidate us, to undermine our unity and our willingness to support Ukraine are futile and will fail. Our support to Ukraine is unwavering, as is our ironclad commitment to NATO’s collective defence."
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said she would discuss the attack on Wednesday with Rutte, while EU foreign ministers would prepare a joint response.
"Looking forward to discussing collective countermeasures at the Gymnich meeting in Ireland tonight and tomorrow," Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on X.
"Poland stands forsquare behind every ally attacked by Russia’s hybrid war," he wrote. "Full solidarity with Germany."
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain stood with Germany and that any Russian attempts to undermine support for Ukraine were "doomed to fail."
(gs)
Source: Reuters, IAR/PAP