
The German government announced Wednesday that it has asked Russia to close four of its five consulates in Germany. Berlin’s decision came after Moscow announced it would limit the number of German officials in Russia to 350.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger told reporters in Berlin that the decision was aimed at establishing “personnel and structural equality” between the two countries.
Russia said today it would respond to what it called Germany’s “provocative” decision to close four Russian consulates.
“There is no doubt in Berlin that these thoughtless and provocative actions will not go unanswered in our country,” a Russian Foreign Ministry statement said.
Recently, Moscow announced that up to 350 German government officials will remain in Russia, including those working in cultural institutions and schools. According to Burger, this means that Germany will have to close its consulates in Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk and Kaliningrad by November. He added that only the embassy in Moscow and the consulate in St. Petersburg will remain open.
The German official said Russia may keep an embassy and consulate in Berlin after the end of the year.
The latest developments mark a further deterioration in relations between Moscow and Berlin since Russia’s February 2022 attack on Ukraine.
Mr. Burger regretted the decision, but added that the war showed there was no basis for much bilateral activity between the two countries.
“It is the behavior of the Russian side that has created this situation,” he added.
Mr. Burger said Germany’s decision to concentrate its remaining staff in the embassy in Moscow and establish a consulate will make it possible to maintain the country’s diplomatic presence in Russia.