The Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs Lavrov said on the 3rd that in view of the German decision to close the “Russian Home” in Berlin and the Russian consulate in Bonn, Russia will also close several cultural institutions established by Germany in Russia, the Goethe Academy. The German Minister for Foreign Affairs Waldfur expressed “very regretful” on the same day.
Lavrov said during a related event at the Eastern Economic Forum that Germany has decided to close the “Russian Home” in Berlin and the Russian consulate in Bonn on the grounds of a alleged Russian drone crash in Leipzig. Germany has Goethe Institutes in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other places, and Russia will also close German related institutions.
Waldfur expressed regret on Russia‘s decision on the 3rd, saying that this measure “has no legitimate reason” and will further damage German-Russian relations.
German police discovered a drone allegedly loaded with explosives near a Ukrainian transport plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport in eastern Germany on August 5. According to German media reports, after this incident occurred, multiple evidence pointed to Russia. The Russians have denied this, claiming that Ukraine was the mastermind behind the matter.
In a press conference on September 1, Waldfur and German Interior Minister Dobrint said that Russia was responsible for the failed drone attack in early August. They decided to close the Russian consulate in Bonn on September 18 and terminate the contract with the cultural institution “Russisches Haus” in Berlin.
The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on social media on the 2nd that it had called for a meeting with the German temporary representative in Russia on the day regarding the German government‘s anti-Russian actions and remarks. The Russian Foreign Ministry also issued a statement saying that Russia will respond strongly to German actions.