MOSCOW — Russia's Foreign Ministry announced the closure of Germany's consulate in St. Petersburg, requiring operations to cease by Sept. 18, and ordered the closure of all Goethe-Institut branches across Russian territory by Sept. 13.
The Goethe-Institut, a German government-funded center that promotes German language and culture abroad, will cease operations entirely in Russia.
The Foreign Ministry said the closures were retaliation for German moves to shut Russia's consulate in Bonn and close the Russian cultural center in Berlin. Germany took those steps after accusing Russia of responsibility for a drone attack at Leipzig Airport, a major international freight hub that also handles logistics for Ukraine.
The European Union said the Leipzig incident exhibited "all the signs of state sponsored terrorism."
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected Germany's allegations, describing the accusations as "the beginning of a real war." The ministry said Berlin "bears full and complete responsibility" for the consequences of the dispute.
