Russian Ambassador: Germany to Sever Ties with Moscow Completely

Moscow (ANTARA) – Germany has set in motion a complete break in relations with Russia, ties that have been built up over centuries, Russian Ambassador to Berlin Sergey Nechayev said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“Following the announcement of the so-called ‘turning point’, the German authorities set about completely dismantling Russian-German relations that had been built up over centuries,” Nechayev said.

Nechayev was responding to the closure of Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House in Berlin.

The Russian ambassador said Germany had used what he described as baseless accusations against Russia to justify closing the Russian facilities in the country.

“If I had been asked a few years ago whether it was hypothetically possible for the Germans to close all five of our consulates general in Germany and the Russian House in Berlin, expel hundreds of Russian mission staff and their family members, and obstruct the work of Russia’s diplomatic mission—let alone have Germany’s leaders openly prepare for an imminent war with Russia—I would honestly have said it was impossible,” Nechayev said.

Earlier, in September, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany would close Russia’s consulate general in Bonn on 18 September and terminate the agreement governing the Russian House in Berlin.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry described the measures as retaliation for what it called Germany’s unfriendly actions.

It also said the Goethe-Institut in Russia would have to cease operations and all its staff would be required to leave Russia by 13 September at the latest.

Germany’s consulate general in St Petersburg was closed on 18 September.