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🇫🇷 France /Conflict & Security

Russia announces closure of German consulate in St. Petersburg amid tensions with Berlin

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire Official statement New plan
  • Russia said the German consulate in St. Petersburg must end operations by September 18, in retaliation for Germany’s closure of its consulate in Bonn.
  • Moscow also ordered Goethe-Institut employees to leave Russia by September 13 and accused German authorities of provoking a new escalation.
  • Berlin linked its measures to an alleged Russian attempt to attack Leipzig airport with an explosives-laden drone.

Russia has withdrawn its approval for the German consulate in St. Petersburg to operate, ordering it to close by September 18 in the latest escalation between Moscow and Berlin.

“The Russian side withdraws its consent for the operation of the Consulate General of Germany in St. Petersburg, which must cease its activities no later than September 18,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Consulate employees must leave Russia by that date.

The Russian side withdraws its consent for the operation of the Consulate General of Germany in St. Petersburg, which must cease its activities no later than September 18.

· Russian Foreign MinistryThe statement announced the closure of the German consulate.

Moscow had already announced the coming closure of German cultural centers across Russia and summoned Germany’s chargé d’affaires. On Monday, the Foreign Ministry said employees of the Goethe-Institut must leave the country by September 13.

Russian diplomats blamed Germany for the deterioration in relations. “It is precisely the German authorities who, once again, provoked a new cycle of escalation in bilateral relations,” the ministry said.

It is precisely the German authorities who, once again, provoked a new cycle of escalation in bilateral relations.

· Russian Foreign MinistryThe ministry blamed Berlin for the worsening diplomatic tensions.

Germany announced last week that it would close Russia’s remaining consulate in Bonn, in western Germany, on September 18, along with the Russian cultural center in Berlin, known as the Russian House. Berlin made the move after officially accusing Russia of attempting an attack with an explosives-laden drone at Leipzig airport in early August. The airport serves as a key platform for the German military, NATO and aid to Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that Berlin wanted “war against Russia again.”

War against Russia again.

· Sergei LavrovThe Russian foreign minister accused Berlin of seeking renewed conflict with Moscow.
About this summary

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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