Russia shuts down Goethe-Institut in retaliation against Germany

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the closure of all Goethe-Institut centres across Russia, according to a Peoples Gazette report, in retaliation for Germany’s shutdown of a Russian cultural centre in Berlin. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Germany’s move signalled “the end of their cultural presence in Russia.”

Germany had accused Russia of masterminding a “hybrid attack” on its Leipzig/Halle Airport, closing a Russian cultural centre and its Bonn consulate in response. Moscow denied the allegation, with Putin accusing Berlin of planting evidence. German foreign minister Johann Wadephul called the Goethe-Institut’s closure unjustifiable.