Russia to close Goethe-Institut centres as Germany tensions escalate
Summary
Russia announced it will close German cultural centers in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg after Germany shut down a Russian cultural center in Berlin and a consulate in Bonn. This move follows tensions caused by a drone incident at Germany’s Leipzig-Halle airport, which Germany and the EU say was a Russian sabotage attempt.Key Facts
- Russia will close Goethe-Institut centers in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg.
- Germany closed a Russian cultural center in Berlin and a Russian consulate in Bonn.
- The conflict began after a drone carrying explosives was found near a Ukrainian cargo plane in Leipzig-Halle airport in August.
- Germany accused Russia of using “hybrid attacks,” a term for covert or mixed methods of aggression.
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said closing the centers ends Germany’s cultural presence in Russia.
- The EU called the drone incident state-sponsored terrorism and plans to impose new sanctions on Russia.
- French and EU leaders have summoned Russian diplomats to respond to the incident.
- Russia has a history of closing foreign cultural institutes in retaliation, such as the British Council in 2018.
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