Russia has formally requested that Germany close its consulate general in St. Petersburg and two Goethe Institute cultural centers operating in the country, according to a report from RFI.
The demand was issued by Russia’s Foreign Ministry, which announced the move on Monday, September 7, 2026, as reported by RFI and echoed by Chinese outlets including Sina Finance and The Beijing News. The ministry’s statement did not specify a deadline for the closures, but the request marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between Moscow and Berlin.
The Goethe Institute, Germany’s cultural diplomacy arm, runs language courses and cultural programs worldwide. Closing two of its Russian branches, along with the consulate, would significantly reduce Germany’s official presence in Russia’s second-largest city. RFI’s report did not name which two Goethe Institute locations were targeted.
The announcement follows a period of growing friction between the two countries. According to Chinese media outlet Observer, Russia’s consul general in Germany has accused Berlin of expelling Russian personnel, suggesting the consulate closure is a retaliatory step. Separately, Chinese state media outlet China Net cited Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as saying that “Germans want war again,” a remark that underscores the deteriorating tone of bilateral relations.
Russia’s move appears to be part of a broader pattern of reciprocal diplomatic actions. Earlier this year, Germany expelled Russian diplomats and reduced consular staff in response to Moscow’s activities, per the context provided in the RFI summary.
What to watch next is whether Germany will respond with its own countermeasures, potentially ordering the closure of Russian consulates in Germany or further limiting cultural exchanges.
