Germany to shutter 4 out of 5 Russian consulates general in country, in series of tit-for-tat moves with Russia’s Foreign Ministry
The German authorities have decided to close four out of five Russian diplomatic missions in the country, TASS reports, citing a source in the German Foreign Ministry.
The consulates have until the end of the year to fold their operations. At the same time, Germany is closing its own consulates general in the Russian cities of Yekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, and Novosibirsk.
Last April, Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced plans to reduce the German diplomatic presence in Russia, claiming this was a response to the expulsion of more than 20 Russian diplomats from Germany. Later, it emerged that several hundred members of the German foreign service and employees of cultural institutions like Goethe-Institut would have to leave Russia.
Germany responded to this expulsion by reciprocally reducing the Russian presence within Germany.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, says the agency is now preparing a response to Berlin’s decision.
