The German government on Monday summoned Russia’s ambassador in Berlin, raising the confrontation with Moscow to a new level. The Foreign Ministry justified the step by alleging “direct threats by Russia against targets in Germany” aimed at “weakening our support for Ukraine.” Berlin’s response, it declared, was “clear”: Germany would “not be intimidated.”

According to reports, the Russian Ministry of Defense last week published addresses of arms companies based in Germany. This was a reaction to the German government’s announcement that it would supply new drones and long-range weapons to Ukraine, or have them produced there in cooperation with German arms manufacturers.

In other words: the German government is responding to Russian warnings that, in the event of further Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory driven by Germany, Moscow might target military installations in Germany—and it is responding with further escalation. The summoning of the Russian ambassador is aimed at further shattering already severely damaged relations and preparing the transition to an open military confrontation.