Russia to close Goethe Institutes after Leipzig airport explosives dispute

Russia is moving to close Germany’s Goethe Institutes after Berlin announced the closure of the Russian House in Berlin. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described the step as a direct response to Germany’s decision.

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Of course they will be closed after our cultural center was expelled from there, in Berlin.

“Of course they will be closed after our cultural center was expelled from there, in Berlin,” Lavrov said at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, according to Interfax. He said Germany was knowingly accepting that the move against the Russian House would “clearly mean the end of its cultural presence in the Russian Federation.”

The Goethe-Institut has a main branch in Moscow and cultural facilities in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Despite tensions with the West over Russia’s war in Ukraine, Lavrov said, the institute had continued operating. It is among the last German institutions still active in Russia.

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Clearly mean the end of its cultural presence in the Russian Federation.

Germany announced the closure of the Russian House after an explosives-carrying drone was found at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Berlin blamed Moscow for an attempted attack. Russia rejects the accusation. After the German embassy’s chargé d’affaires was summoned in Moscow, the Foreign Ministry called the allegations of Russian involvement “completely groundless” and accused Berlin of an “open provocation” aimed at undermining relations.

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Completely groundless allegations of Russian involvement in the alleged incident at Leipzig Airport.

The ministry said a “tough response” would follow German government actions. Russia has also indicated that additional countermeasures could be taken, including the possible closure of Germany’s consulate general in St. Petersburg. The two countries have previously closed consulates on a reciprocal basis during sanctions disputes.

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Open provocation.