Rki.news | Source: Anadolu
MOSCOW, Sept. 3 — Russia will close Goethe-Institut branches in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg following Germany’s decision to shut the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday.
Speaking at a lecture organized by the Znanie Society on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Lavrov rejected allegations that Russia was involved in a drone incident at Leipzig Airport in early August.
Lavrov said German authorities linked the incident to Russia based on the drone’s resemblance to those allegedly used by Moscow.
He said Russia would close the three Goethe-Institut branches in response.
“Otherwise, we would not respect ourselves,” Lavrov said, describing Berlin’s move as the end of Germany’s cultural presence in Russia.
Germany announced Sept. 1 that it would terminate the agreement governing the Russian House in Berlin following the incident.
German authorities blamed Russia, while the Russian Embassy rejected the accusation, calling it a provocation.
Moscow said Germany’s measures represented a serious escalation in bilateral relations.
Russia Plans Goethe-Institut Closures After German Cultural Center Move
