The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador to protest the recent meeting in Kyiv between Bundestag member Roderich Kiesewetter and Akhmed Zakayev, the head of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria abroad, which is designated a terrorist organization by the Russian Federation.

The Russian side expressed dissatisfaction with the German parliamentarian's meeting with Zakayev, whom the Russian Foreign Ministry described as "the leader of a terrorist organization." The ministry saw a potential threat of recruiting Russian relocated Russians in Germany.

"The German member of parliament welcomed the anti-Russian activities of terrorists from this organization, who actively participated in sabotage operations in the Belgorod and Kursk regions, and called on them to actively cooperate with Germany, including by recruiting Russian relocated Russians living in Germany to carry out operations to destabilize the socio-political situation in the Russian Federation.

"Moscow views this meeting between a German parliament member and notorious criminals as irrefutable proof of the German authorities' intent to interfere in Russia's internal affairs and create threats to its national security, including through cooperation with terrorist structures under the auspices of the criminal Kyiv regime," reads a statement published on the official Telegram channel of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

The Russian Foreign Ministry threatened that "hostile steps towards Russia will inevitably receive a proper rebuff."

The date of the meeting was not specified, although MP Kiesewetter reported his trip to Ukraine in mid-April. Earlier that month, a Russian court designated the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria and its branches as terrorist organizations. Zakayev himself is charged in absentia in Russia with creating a terrorist organization and justifying terrorism.

Before a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, German Ambassador to Moscow Count Lambsdorff stated that he "considers it unlikely that the Russian side will be able to substantiate its accusations." A German Foreign Ministry spokesman in Berlin called Russia's claims "completely baseless and unfounded."

Akhmed Zakayev created a separate special forces battalion within the Foreign Legion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2022. Other Chechen units are also fighting on the Ukrainian side, including the Sheikh Mansur, Dzhokhar Dudayev, and Khamzat Gelayev battalions.

According to an investigation by The Insider, Center 795—a secret unit of the Russian intelligence services—was planning an assassination attempt on Zakayev and his family members.