Russia says it is closing German consulate in St. Petersburg
Felix Tamsut with Reuters and AP 15 hours ago15 hours ago
The tit-for-tat reaction comes after Germany said it is shutting down Russia’s consulate in Bonn and its cultural center in Berlin.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it is closing Germany’s consulate in St. Petersburg.
The German consulate in St. Petersburg must cease its operations by September 18 at the latest, according to the Foreign Ministry.
“It was the German authorities who, once again, provoked a new round of escalation in bilateral relations,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding Berlin “bears full and complete responsibility” for the consequences.
Russia also earlier ordered the closure of all Goethe-Institut branches on Russian territory, with Goethe-Institut staff having to leave the country by September 13.
Goethe-Institut is a center that promotes German language and culture. Goethe-Institut is largely financed by the German government.
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Germany, Russia trade barbs over Leipzig drone attack
The moves are a direct response to Germany’s decision to close the Russian consulate in Bonn and Russia’s cultural center in Berlin, a decision Russia labeled “unfriendly.”
Germany recently announced those measures after it said Russia was responsible for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport.
Germany blames Russia for attempted terror attack in Leipzig
The EU, too, said the incident had all the signs of “state sponsored terrorism.”
The Leipzig airport is an important international freight hub, also used for providing support to Ukraine.
Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected Germany’s allegations, calling them “the beginning of a real war.”
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
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Felix Tamsut Reporter for DW News@ftamsut
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