Russia to close German cultural centres after Berlin blames Moscow for airport drone plot
Russia plans to close German cultural centers in retaliation for Berlin's decision to shut Russian consulates following an alleged drone sabotage plot. Tensions between the EU and Moscow continue to escalate over security concerns.
Why it matters
The tit-for-tat closure of diplomatic and cultural institutions marks a significant deterioration in Russia-EU relations.
Russia will shutter German cultural centres across the country, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday (September 3, 2026).
The move comes after Berlin blamed Moscow for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport and announced the closure of both the Russian Consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural centre in the German capital.
Mr. Lavrov said that cultural centres belonging to Germany's Goethe-Institut would be closed in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, adding that any other response would show a lack of “self-respect” on Russia's part.
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