Germany decided to revoke the permits of four of the five Russian consulates in the country, in response to Moscow’s decision to reduce the number of German diplomats in Russia, writes Politico.
Moscow has been asked to properly prepare for the closure of its four consulates general in Germany by the 31st of December, 2023.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Berlin and Moscow have repeatedly expelled each other’s diplomats. Germany’s decision was announced to Russian diplomats on Wednesday, May 31.
One consulate general and embassy will continue to operate.
On Saturday, the 27th of May, it was reported that several German diplomats will have to leave Russia, and Moscow has set a cap for the personnel of German foreign missions and other German organizations in Russia. Starting from the 1st of June, no more than 350 German diplomats are allowed in Russia. A representative of the German Foreign Ministry explained that, therefore, the number of personnel is insufficient to provide consular support. Only the work of the German Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in Saint Petersburg will continue after November.
The Foreign Ministry has indicated that Moscow has taken steps to escalate the situation, and a ministry spokesman said that this unjustified step forces the German government to significantly reduce its presence in Russia in various areas.
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