Moscow summoned Germany's ambassador to Russia's foreign ministry on Monday after the leak of the tape on supporting Ukraine amid the ongoing war. Russia demanded an explanation from Germany over the leaked audio clip.
Russia's state-funded TV channel RT posted the audio on Friday on social media.
Germany’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, has accused Russia of waging “an information war” against Germany, by intercepting and then leaking sensitive discussions that took place among the high-level officers.
Russia has accused Germany of planning war against it. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said, "Germany is planning a war with Russia”.
While Pistorius said it was "completely absurd".
The conversations highlight the direct involvement of the collective West in the conflict in Ukraine, said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
Germany is among the NATO countries that have provided arms to Ukraine including tanks. Germany is the second-biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine after the US.
What's in the leaked audio clip
The 38-minute recording of the leaked call reveals German officials discussing weapons for Ukraine and a potential strike by Kyiv on the Crimea bridge.
The weapon discussions include the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to Kyiv. Kyiv has been requesting the possible supply of weapons from NATO nations to sustain the ongoing battle. They have been asking Germany to deliver Taurus cruise missiles, which can reach targets up to 500km away.
Also, discussions on the use of long-range missiles provided by France and Britain, and training of Ukrainian soldiers were involved.
Four officials-- including the head of Germany's Air Force, Ingo Gerhartz can be heard discussing deployment scenarios for the Taurus, reported German news agency DPA.
The leak was considered "serious" by Germany and said it was "now being clarified very carefully, very intensively and very quickly".
With Ukraine dealing with a weapons shortage and financial crisis, it was facing severe setbacks. Germany was reluctant to supply the weapons as well.
Pistorius on Sunday described the audio as part of Russia's information war against the West to create discord within Germany.
