Russia to close German consulate and Goethe-Institut branches

Russia has ordered the closure of Germany’s consulate in St. Petersburg and all Goethe-Institut branches across the country, in retaliation for measures Berlin announced after accusing Moscow of involvement in a drone incident in Leipzig.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said employees at German cultural centers must leave Russia by Sept. 13. The German consulate in St. Petersburg must close by Sept. 18, and its staff were also asked to depart.

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real war

Relations between Moscow and Berlin, already strained since Russia launched its offensive against Ukraine in February 2022, deteriorated further last week. Germany blamed Russia for an explosive-equipped drone discovered at Leipzig airport in early August and described the incident as a hybrid attack.

Berlin responded by announcing the closure of Russia’s general consulate in Bonn and the termination of an agreement allowing the Russian House cultural center to operate in Berlin. Moscow denied any involvement and promised retaliatory measures, which it has now carried out. President Vladimir Putin called Germany’s actions a serious mistake, while Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Berlin of starting a "real war" against Russia. The European Union expressed solidarity with Germany and said the Leipzig incident bore "all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism."

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all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism