Lavrov: Goethe Institute in Russia to be shut down
Russia will close all Goethe Institutes in retaliation for Germany shutting down the Russian House in Berlin after an explosives-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig/Halle airport.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergej Lawrow confirmed the closures while speaking to the Interfax news agency in Vladivostok, according to Nius. The move represents a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions between Berlin and Moscow, with both sides now targeting the other’s cultural institutions.
Germany’s federal government had announced the closure of the Russian House after German authorities attributed the attempted explosive drone attack on Leipzig/Halle airport to Moscow. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul of the CDU publicly blamed Russia for the incident earlier this week and outlined punitive measures in response.
Three Cultural Centers to Shut Down
The Goethe Institute currently operates three locations across Russia: the main center in Moscow, along with branches in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Lawrow addressed the closures during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, as Nius reports, stating that Germany is consciously accepting that its action against the Russian House clearly means the end of its cultural presence in the Russian Federation.
The Russian foreign minister pointed out that despite all tensions with the West over Russia’s military campaign against Ukraine, the Goethe Institute had been permitted to continue its operations. The organization represents one of the last German institutions still active in Russia, after Moscow declared numerous foundations and organizations undesirable and effectively banned their activities.
Moscow Denies Involvement in Drone Incident
Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned the German embassy’s chargé d’affaires in Moscow the day before Lawrow’s announcement to protest Berlin’s sanctions following the explosive drone discovery at Leipzig/Halle airport. The ministry stated the summons occurred due to anti-Russian actions and statements by German leadership.
Moscow categorically rejected what it termed completely unfounded accusations of Russian involvement in the alleged incident at Leipzig airport. The Foreign Ministry accused Berlin of resorting to open provocation designed to undermine Russian-German relations, warning that a harsh response would follow the German government’s actions.
Further Retaliation Expected
Russian authorities have indicated additional countermeasures are under consideration. Among the possibilities is the closure of Germany’s consulate general in St. Petersburg. Both countries have previously shut down each other’s consulates in tit-for-tat actions amid broader sanctions disputes.
Foreign Minister Wadephul announced that Germany plans to close Russia’s consulate in Bonn as part of the punitive measures taken in response to the drone incident at the beginning of August.
With information from Nius
