Russia to close three Goethe-Institut branches in retaliation to Germany

Moscow (ANTARA) - Russia will close Goethe-Institut branches in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, in response to Germany’s decision to close the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Thursday.

Speaking during a lecture organised by the Znanie Society on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Lavrov denied Russia’s involvement in the drone incident at Leipzig Airport, Germany, in early August. He stated that German authorities based their decision on the assumption that the drones were similar to those used by Russia.

“There are Goethe-Institut branches in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. Naturally, these branches will be closed after our cultural centre was expelled from there,” said Lavrov. “Otherwise, we would not respect ourselves,” he added.

Lavrov noted that Germany’s decision marks the end of the country’s cultural presence in Russia, which had previously persisted despite deteriorating bilateral relations due to the Ukraine issue.

The German government announced on 1 September that it would terminate the agreement governing the activities of the Russian House in Berlin following the drone incident at Leipzig Airport. Germany stated that Russia was responsible for the drone incident.

The Russian Embassy in Berlin rejected the allegations, describing the incident as a provocation and stating that Germany’s measures represent a serious escalation in bilateral relations.