Sergey Lavrov says Goethe-Institut closures mean the end of Germany's "cultural presence in Russia"

Russia’s foreign minister said Thursday that Moscow would close Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Moscow, St Petersburg and Yekaterinburg in response to Germany’s decision to shut Russia’s consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural center in Berlin. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Sergey Lavrov said Germany should have recognized that the move would end Germany’s cultural operations on Russian soil. The dispute follows Germany’s accusation that Russia was behind an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport, where officials defused an explosives-laden drone near a Ukrainian plane. Western officials have accused Russia of sabotage meant to weaken support for Ukraine; President Vladimir Putin denies those claims. EU ministers discussed sanctions, visa restrictions and closing Russian consulates.