German Consulate General in Russia permanently closes

The Consulate General of Germany in Saint Petersburg has ceased its operations as of 18 September.

Source: European Pravda, citing a notice on the diplomatic mission's website

Details: The mission's website reports that the duties of the Consulate General are being taken over by the German Embassy in Moscow.

According to the Russian-language service of DW, on 17 September, the German flag, coat of arms, and other symbols were removed from the building where the consulate was located.

The German Consulate in Saint Petersburg had been operating since 1972.

In addition to the diplomatic mission, the German school attached to the Consulate General in Petersburg also closed. The final lessons at the school took place on 11 September.

The educational institution had been operating since 2009, featuring a nursery, primary, secondary schools and a college, with around 150 children studying there in total.

Background:

• Russian authorities decided to close the German diplomatic mission in Petersburg after Germany announced the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn.
• This step came as a response to an attempted drone attack at Leipzig Airport, for which Russia is blamed.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, for its part, ordered the closure of the Consulate General of Germany in Saint Petersburg by 18 September. Its staff was also asked to leave the country.

Subscribe on Patreon to back our journalism long-term.