Russia Closes Goethe Institute After Germany Shuts Russian Facilities

The Federal Government of Russia will close all branches of Germany's Goethe Institute in retaliation for the shuttering of the Russian House cultural center in Berlin and the Russian consulate general in Bonn. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the decision during the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, stating the move follows Germany's expulsion of Russian cultural and diplomatic facilities.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced the closure of the Russian facilities after an investigation concluded that Russia was responsible for a failed drone attack at an airport in Leipzig last month. In addition to the closures, Germany plans to tighten border controls for Russian nationals to counter expected increases in hybrid aggression.

Russia has denied responsibility for the drone attack. Lavrov asserted that Germany's conclusion was based on a mere assumption that the drone resembled Russian models.