Overview
- Medvedev told state agency Tass that abducting Chancellor Friedrich Merz could be a "excellent twist" and claimed there were reasons to pursue him in Germany.
- Deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille condemned the remark as unacceptable and praised the BKA protective unit as among the best in the world.
- The German government said there is no reason to increase Merz’s protection, citing existing measures calibrated to the assessed risk.
- Coverage notes Medvedev referenced recent U.S. action in Venezuela as a precedent when floating tit-for-tat abduction scenarios.
- Analysts place the comment within a pattern of provocative rhetoric from Russian officials that is seen to intensify diplomatic strain with Germany.