Russia Orders German Consulate Closure as Diplomatic Tensions Reach New Low

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Germany of wanting 'war again' as relations continue to deteriorate. Moscow has ordered the closure of the German consulate in St Petersburg, with Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcing that operations must cease by September 18.

This retaliatory move highlights the deepening hostility between the two nations amid Russia’s war on Ukraine. Berlin previously shut down two Russian diplomatic operations in Germany after accusing Moscow of orchestrating an attempted drone attack on Leipzig Airport.

In a Telegram statement, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs blamed Germany for provoking a new escalation and bearing full responsibility for the consequences. All diplomatic staff from the St Petersburg consulate must depart the country by September 18.

Sergey Lavrov strongly condemned Germany's allegations regarding the drone attack, describing them as the beginning of a real war. Diplomatic relations have plummeted since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with Germany providing substantial civilian and military aid to Kyiv.

Amid these rising tensions, Germany ordered the closure of Russia’s consulate general in Bonn and the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin. In response, Moscow shut down all branches of Germany’s Goethe-Institut, giving staff members until Sunday to leave Russia.