US, Germany Sniff Out Russian Attempt To Assassinate German CEO

A report on Thursday uncovered a Russian plot to assassinate Rheinmetall ADR RNMBY CEO Armin Papperger. Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer, supplies weapons to Ukraine in their ongoing war with Russia.

What Happened: CNN was the first to report the attempt, citing anonymous officials, that the U.S. and Germany foiled a Moscow plot to assassinate the arms CEO. U.S. officials learned of the plot and alerted the German government, who were able to protect Papperger.

Rheinmetall is the largest German manufacturer of artillery shells used by Ukraine. The Düsseldorf-based company’s market capitalization has more than quadrupled since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

The assassination attempt is the latest event in Russia’s ongoing “sabotage campaign,” according to CNN. The country has initiated proxy attacks of vandalism and arson in Western countries supporting Ukraine.

Why it Matters: Dozens of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s opponents have been found dead under mysterious circumstances since the Russian leader took power, including imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The 2024 U.S. Presidential election can shake the conflict in Ukraine up even further. Presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump avoided condemning Putin after Navalny’s death, according to the New York Times.

Trump’s goals to destabilize NATO could pave the way for Russia to initiate land grabs against other countries formerly under the Soviet bloc. This week, Trump plans to meet with Hungarian President Viktor Orbán, a Putin ally, to embark on a "peace mission" whereby Ukraine would cede land to Russia. Critics of the plan compare it, unfavorably, to Great Britain’s policy of appeasement against Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

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• US Mulls Sanctions On Beijing Banks For Alleged Role In Putin’s War In Ukraine: ‘China Can’t Have It Both Ways,’ Blinken Says

Photo: Alex Linch via Shutterstock