Russia Decides to Close Germany's St. Petersburg Consulate and Goethe Institute Centers

In a statement by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was reported that retaliatory decisions were made in response to Germany's steps to close the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin. It was noted that Germany's Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow was summoned to the ministry and diplomatic notes regarding the decisions were presented.

According to the statement, Russia withdrew its approval for Germany's Consulate General in St. Petersburg to operate. It was stated that the consulate must cease its activities by September 18, 2026, at the latest, and all personnel must leave Russia by this date.

As part of the decisions, it was also stated that the activities of the Goethe Institute cultural centers in Russia would be terminated. It was reported that the institute's assigned personnel were instructed to leave the country by September 13, 2026.

The statement, which touched upon the tension in relations between the two countries, argued that the new escalation in bilateral relations was once again provoked by the German authorities, and it was noted that the German government bears full responsibility for the consequences that will arise.