Russia Shuts German Consulate In St Petersburg Over Drone Attack Charge
Russia has ordered the closure of the German consulate in Saint Petersburg and the Goethe Institute following escalating diplomatic tensions. This move comes after Germany accused Russia of orchestrating a drone attack on a German airport, a claim Moscow denies.
Why it matters
The tit-for-tat closure of diplomatic and cultural institutions marks a significant deterioration in Russia-EU relations, heightening fears of further hybrid warfare escalation.
Russia on Monday ordered the German consulate in Saint Petersburg be shut, giving diplomats until September 18 to leave the country and demanding the employees of Germany's Goethe Institute -- which it closed last week -- exit by the end of the week.Moscow-Berlin ties -- already massively tense since Russia's Ukraine offensive -- spiralled further last week, with Germany accusing Russia of orchestrating a drone attack on Leipzig airport.Germany last week shut Russia's consulate in Bonn and Moscow's cultural centre in Berlin.Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement it was "revoking its consent to the operation of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Saint Petersburg."It said the consulate…
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