Moscow retaliates after comparable transfer from Berlin final week citing failed drone assault on airport.
Revealed On 7 Sep 2026
Moscow has ordered the closure of the German consulate in St Petersburg.
Russia’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs introduced on Monday that the consulate within the second metropolis should stop operations by September 18.
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The order represents a tit-for-tat transfer, and brings into the open the rising sick feeling between the 2 nations amid Russia’s conflict on Ukraine.
Berlin shuttered two Russian diplomatic operations in Germany final week, having accused Moscow of being behind an tried drone assault on Leipzig Airport.
In an announcement revealed on Telegram on Monday, Russia’s Overseas Ministry mentioned Germany has “provoked a brand new spherical of escalation in bilateral relations”, and bears “full duty for the results”.
Russia has now ordered that each one diplomats and workers from the St Petersburg consulate should depart the nation by September 18.
On Sunday, Russian Minister of Overseas Affairs Sergey Lavrov denounced Germany for its accusation relating to the drone assault, and asserted that the allegations marked “the start of an actual conflict”.
The closure of the German consulate marks a brand new low in Moscow and Berlin’s diplomatic relations, which have critically deteriorated since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Germany has emerged as one in every of Ukraine’s strongest supporters in Europe, allocating greater than $50bn in civilian support for Kyiv and virtually $67bn in army help, in line with its Overseas Ministry.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly condemned the West’s assist for Ukraine.
Tensions between Berlin and Moscow elevated final week as Germany made the accusation relating to the failed drone assault at Leipzig/Halle Airport.
Putin has dismissed the allegations, claiming, with out providing particulars, that the proof was “planted”.
Because it revealed the accusations, Germany ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate common in Bonn and the Russian Home cultural centre in Berlin.
Moscow retaliated by ordering all branches of Germany’s Goethe-Institut closed. Its workers members have been ordered to depart Russia by Sunday.
Lavrov mentioned Berlin’s closure of Russia’s diplomatic establishments final week reminded him of occasions that preceded World Conflict II, describing the measures as “completely unacceptable” and accusing Germany of wanting “conflict once more”.
