Germany: Closure of Goethe-Institut branches in Russia ‘regrettable’

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has expressed regret over Moscow’s announcement that it will close branches of the Goethe-Institute, Germany’s international cultural institute.

“The Goethe-Institut earns its place every day by fostering thriving cultural relations and social exchange between Russia and Germany – and has done so under the most difficult conditions since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” Wadephul told dpa on Thursday, hours after the retaliatory move was announced by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“Against this backdrop, the measure now announced by the Russian Federation is very regrettable, as it further damages our relations,” Wadephul said on the sidelines of a meeting with his counterparts from France and Poland in Weimar.

Wadephul insisted that the measure was unjustified, as the German government’s decision to close the Russian House in Berlin was itself a direct response to the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig airport last month.

The German government officially attributed the incident to Russia on Tuesday, prompting the Russian Foreign Ministry to summon the German chargé d’affaires in Moscow to protest Berlin’s sanctions. Russia denies any involvement in the drone incident. The drone failed to detonate.

Wadephul said the Russian House had long since ceased to live up to its name as a “House of Science and Culture.”

“I am saying this very clearly: it serves neither culture nor science,” he said, adding that Russia must decide what kind of relations it wants with Germany.

The Goethe-Institut was one of the last German institutions still operating in Russia. Most foundations and organizations with ties to Germany have been deemed “undesirable,” effectively banning them from operating in the country.

The institution has its main Russian office in Moscow, while it also maintains cultural centres in other cities.