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Germany ordered the closure of 4 of 5 Russian consulates in the country. Photo/ABC News
BERLIN – Ministry of Foreign Affairs German announced that Berlin revoked the licenses of four of the five consulates Russia as an act of reprisal against Moscow.
The move comes after the Russian government set an upper limit of 350 for the number of German government officials, including those working in cultural institutions and schools, who can live in Russia.
A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry told reporters the move was intended to create personnel and structural parity between the two countries.
The spokesman said Russia had taken escalating steps in limiting Germany’s presence.
“This unjustified decision forced the German government to make very significant cuts in all areas of its presence in Russia,” he said as quoted by DW, Thursday (1/6/2023).
After the end of the year, Russia will only be allowed to continue operating the embassy in Berlin and one more consulate.
“This was communicated to the Russian Foreign Ministry today,” the office added.
He said, although the move was lamentable, the Ukrainian war simply provided no basis for much of the bilateral activity between the two countries.
