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🇩🇪 Germany /Conflict & Security

Russia closes German consulate in St Petersburg

From Der Spiegel · () German

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

At a glance

News From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Russia has apparently withdrawn authorization for Germany’s consulate in St Petersburg, while Goethe-Institut branches across the country also face closure.
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said accusations that Moscow was behind a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport marked “the beginning of a real war.”
  • Germany and other Western governments accuse Russia of conducting a hybrid campaign involving disinformation and attacks, while supporting Ukraine in its war against the Russian invasion.

Moscow is apparently moving to shut Germany’s consulate in St Petersburg, with all Goethe-Institut branches in Russia also facing closure. The move comes as tensions between Russia and Germany intensify over accusations linked to a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, known for his harsh rhetoric, escalated his language further. The accusations that Russia was responsible for the airport attack were “the beginning of a real war,” Lavrov said on Sunday, according to the state-run Tass news agency.

The accusations that Russia was responsible for the drone attack at Leipzig/Halle airport are essentially the beginning of a real war.

· Sergei LavrovThe Russian foreign minister described the accusations against Moscow as a major escalation.

Lavrov also referred to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statements about making Germany Europe’s leading military power again. “All these statements by Merz about making Germany the leading military power in Europe, they are being put into practice. He is effectively declaring war on us,” Lavrov said.

The German government and other Western countries have for some time accused Russia of waging a hybrid war against them. They cite disinformation campaigns and attacks, including killings allegedly carried out on Russia’s orders. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and Germany and other European countries have supported Ukraine in its defense.

All these statements by Merz about making Germany the leading military power in Europe, they are being put into practice. He is effectively declaring war on us.

· Sergei LavrovLavrov linked his accusation to Friedrich Merz’s statements about Germany’s military role in Europe.
About this summary

Originally published by Der Spiegel in German. 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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