Russia will close German cultural centers across the country, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Thursday.
This action follows Berlin blaming Moscow for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport last month and subsequently announcing the closure of both the Russian Consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural center in the German capital.
Lavrov announced that Goethe-Institut cultural centers would be closed in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, adding that any other reaction from Russia would indicate a lack of "self-respect."
Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Lavrov asserted that Germany "could not have failed to understand" that closing the Russian House would "signify the end of their cultural presence in Russia."
A drone containing explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian plane at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4 and was later defused. The airport functions as a major international freight hub supporting Ukraine.
Western officials have widely accused Moscow of conducting a campaign of sabotage and disruption intended to undermine support for Ukraine and destabilize European nations.
Putin has dismissed these allegations, claiming Berlin seeks to divert attention from its own shortcomings and voter dissatisfaction. Putin stated that any evidence presented "has been planted."
EU Considers Response to Attempted Attack
European Union ministers deliberated on Wednesday how best to respond to the attempted drone attack but found it difficult to devise new measures without employing military force.
"It is clear that it has all the hallmarks of state-sponsored terrorism. The question is: what do we do about this," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters before leading a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers in Ireland. Discussions covered sanctions, visa restrictions, and closing Russian consulates among other measures.
The EU has imposed nearly two dozen sanction packages on Russia concerning the war in Ukraine, affecting over 3,000 officials, oligarchs, and entities including banks, energy companies, and drone manufacturers. Kallas noted that the EU was already preparing to impose additional travel bans and asset freezes on another 1,600 individuals.
Germany maintained it was "not at war" but had become a "daily target" of the Kremlin’s hybrid campaign. Putin dismissed these allegations, stating Berlin aims to distract from its own failings and voter dissatisfaction, adding that any proof offered "has been planted."
However, German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul stated that Berlin had carefully prepared its response and "now Russia must live with these consequences." He urged Russia "to show that it is also ready for reasonable talks and negotiations, particularly regarding the situation in Ukraine."