Russia orders German consulate to close as diplomatic dispute worsens

Russia has ordered Germany’s Consulate-General in Saint Petersburg to shut down by September 18, escalating a diplomatic dispute that began with reciprocal closures of diplomatic and cultural facilities.

Moscow said the measure responds to Berlin’s decision to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and a Russian cultural centre in Berlin. Russia also ordered Goethe-Institut cultural centres in the country to stop operating, with their staff required to leave by September 13.

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It was the German authorities who, once again, provoked a new round of escalation in bilateral relations. The German government bears full and complete responsibility for the consequences.

The Russian Foreign Ministry blamed Germany for provoking the latest escalation. “It was the German authorities who, once again, provoked a new round of escalation in bilateral relations. The German government bears full and complete responsibility for the consequences,” it said.

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wanting war again

Relations have deteriorated after Germany accused Moscow of attempting a drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport. German intelligence services alleged that Russia was behind the incident early last month, after authorities found a drone carrying explosives at the airport. Moscow called the accusation an absurd fabrication, while the European Union said the incident showed signs of “state sponsored terrorism.”

The dispute has added to wider European concerns about alleged hybrid attacks since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Germany has also reported purported sabotage attempts involving its power grid and defence contractors, although Berlin has not directly blamed Russia for those incidents.

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not budge a single millimetre from my fundamental conviction that we must defend our freedom against Russia as well

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Berlin over the weekend of “wanting war again.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that he would “not budge a single millimetre from my fundamental conviction that we must defend our freedom against Russia as well.” Finland, meanwhile, unveiled a 200-kilometre fence along its border with Russia. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said it was intended to counter hybrid attacks and prevent Moscow from using migrants to destabilise Finland.

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Today, it is calm but tense, and we really don’t know about tomorrow. It can change really rapidly, and that is why we need to be very prepared.