Moscow views the German Foreign Ministry’s move to shut down the Russian Federation’s consulates as a deliberate step aimed at undermining bilateral ties. This position was conveyed by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which clarified that the closures affect the consulates in Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich, and Frankfurt am Main. The statement underscored that the measures constitute a significant downgrade in diplomatic channels and signal a tougher stance in Moscow’s assessment of current German policy toward Russia.
The Russian Foreign Ministry noted a pattern of actions by Berlin that it characterizes as one-sided and hostile. It pointed out that Germany has initiated a broad expulsion of Russian diplomats, introduced visa quotas for certain categories of personnel working in foreign missions, and slowed visa processing, all under what Moscow describes as exaggerated and selective excuses. In the ministry’s view, these moves reflect a broader asymmetry in how Berlin treats Russian diplomatic staff, reinforcing Moscow’s concern about unequal treatment in the interplay of bilateral relations. The ministry described these developments as a provocation that heightens friction between the two states, a claim reported by Moscow authorities for the public record.
According to the Russian side, Moscow did not exceed the bounds of reciprocity in its response. The ministry stated that Russia’s actions were strictly proportional and aimed at maintaining parity in the handling of diplomatic missions. It also rejected Germany’s attempts to cast the situation as a unilateral escalation by Moscow, asserting instead that Russia has been compelled to respond to measures perceived as hostile and discriminatory. The Russian leadership called on German authorities to cease further steps that could deepen the diplomatic rift and to revert to a more balanced approach to managing consular affairs and the rights of foreign mission personnel, a position presented as necessary to prevent further deterioration of bilateral cooperation.
Observers note that the reported closures come at a sensitive moment in European-Russian interactions, where security concerns, energy policy, and regional stability intersect with diplomatic signaling. In Moscow’s framing, the moves by Berlin are viewed as part of a broader pattern of pressure tactics, which purportedly aim to constrain Russia’s ability to operate on the European stage. The Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that while Moscow remains open to dialogue, it will continue to defend its interests and respond to measures that violate the principles of reciprocity and non-discrimination in international diplomacy. The ministry’s public briefing framed the situation as a test of political will between Russia and Germany and urged careful consideration of the long-term consequences for regional security and bilateral cooperation, a stance attributed to official channels in Moscow.