Russia to Close Goethe-Institut Branches in Retaliation Against Germany

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow would close all Goethe-Institut branches in Russia in retaliation for Germany’s decision to shut down the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. “The Germans have branches of the Goethe-Institut here — in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg,” Lavrov said at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, according to Moscow Times.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Of course, they will be closed after our cultural center was kicked out of Berlin. Otherwise, we would not respect ourselves,” he added. Lavrov said Berlin must have understood that closing the Russian House would mean “the end of its cultural presence” in Russia. Germany announced the measures after formally blaming Moscow for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Aug. 4. An explosives-laden drone was discovered near Ukrainian cargo aircraft inside the airport’s secure area. German investigators later said three drones may have been involved. Leipzig/Halle is one of Europe’s largest cargo airports and serves as an important logistics hub for assistance delivered to Ukraine. Berlin’s response includes closing the Russian House, shutting Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn, expelling several Russian officials and tightening entry controls for Russian citizens. Germany also plans to push for tougher sanctions against Russia and stronger measures targeting Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet. Other Topics of Interest Ukraine to Help Europe Close Defense Gaps as Russia Threat Grows Kyiv will share more than four years of battlefield experience as Europe races to strengthen defenses amid Russian hybrid attacks and a shifting US role. “We are not at war, but we are a daily target of hybrid warfare,” German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said. Russia has denied responsibility for the drone incident. Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed that Germany had fabricated evidence to implicate Moscow. Russia’s first Goethe-Institut opened in Moscow in 1992, shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Kateryna investigates today's most important topics, from geopolitical challenges and defense strategies to stories that change the course of events. She explores the secrets of Ukraine's intelligence services and shows the hidden side of global events. Her passion is uncovering secrets that change history. Born and lives in Kyiv.