German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Tuesday vowed a measured response to the discovery of an explosives-laden drone near a Ukrainian cargo plane at Leipzig/Halle airport last month.
Berlin is yet to officially identify who it thinks was behind the August 4 incident, amid widespread speculation that Russia was responsible.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz has previously vowed a clear-cut response, which he said was being coordinated with NATO and EU allies. Wadephul is scheduled to travel to Ireland on Tuesday evening for a meeting with EU counterparts.
Asked during a visit to Algiers whether Berlin should be worried about whether Moscow would counter any potential response, Germany's top diplomat stressed that Berlin would not overreact, but respond "when we are attacked."
"Germany will not be intimidated in any way, and that will continue to be the fundamental stance of our policy," Wadephul said, adding that Berlin "stands "side by side with our Ukrainian partner."
"Russia must know that Germany is a stabilizing force in Europe, one that is always prepared to negotiate, but which will not be intimidated in any way."
A drone fitted with explosives and a detonation mechanism was discovered on the evening of August 4 in the security zone of Leipzig/Halle Airport, between Ukrainian cargo aircraft.
A short time later, a second unidentified flying object collided with a DHL cargo aircraft that had been unable to land due to the runway closure and was forced to abort its landing.
Merz said on Sunday that the investigation into the incident was nearing completion and that his government has agreed on how to respond.
