Russia takes action against Germany: Diplomats given deadline

Moscow is shutting down the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg and Goethe cultural centres in Russia.

TodayPress TV reports that the Russian Foreign Ministry made the announcement.

“The Russian side is withdrawing its consent for the operation of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in St. Petersburg. The consulate must cease its activities no later than September 18, 2026, and all of its employees must leave the territory of the Russian Federation no later than that date,” the ministry said in a statement published on its website.

It was also added that Goethe cultural centres in Russia must cease their activities. Their seconded employees have been instructed to leave Russia no later than September 13, 2026.

“Once again, it was the German authorities who provoked a new stage of escalation in bilateral relations. Full and complete responsibility for the consequences lies with the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany,” the statement said.

It should be recalled that the German government previously closed the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin.

Aysel Matlab