Russia will respond to the mass expulsion of Russian diplomats from Berlin by reflecting the country’s reaction in Moscow. This stance was communicated by the Russian Foreign Ministry.
In announcing the move, the ministry said that in response to what it called Berlin’s hostile actions, Moscow has decided to significantly curb the maximum number of German diplomatic staff allowed to operate on Russian soil. In addition, a substantial expulsion of German diplomats from Russia will take place. The message underscored that the retaliatory steps are intended to address what Moscow views as a hostile and unfounded measure taken by Berlin.
The ministry noted that on April 5, the German Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Geza Andreas von Geyr, was formally informed of Moscow’s determination to reduce the staffing levels of German diplomatic missions in Russia. This notification is presented by Moscow as a clear manifestation of the breakdown in cooperation, with Berlin previously signaling that it would not publicize the decision, despite assurances to the contrary. The Russian side emphasizes that Germany’s decision to announce the move through the media contradicts those assurances.
It has emerged that on April 22, Berlin proceeded with a broad deportation of Russian diplomats, intensifying the already tense atmosphere between the two countries. Earlier, on the 21st of April, reports surfaced that Germany began a new phase of reducing the Russian diplomatic presence within its borders. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg had three staff members who would be sent back to Germany from Russia. The Kremlin-linked channels and the Russian Foreign Ministry have framed these actions as part of a broader pattern of escalating measures that strain diplomatic engagement between the two nations. In Moscow’s view, the actions attributed to Berlin constitute a deliberate disruption of normal diplomatic channels and raise questions about the willingness of Berlin to sustain constructive dialogue during a period of fragile relations.
Observers note that such developments complicate ongoing efforts to stabilize bilateral ties at a time when both sides have expressed a wish to manage disputes through formal channels rather than public confrontation. The Russian side appears intent on asserting its sovereignty over diplomatic staffing decisions and maintaining a firm stance in the face of what it describes as unwarranted interference from Berlin. This stance includes a clear message that Moscow will not tolerate what it views as intrusive and hostile moves against its diplomatic personnel. Analysts caution that the situation may have broader implications for regional diplomacy, security arrangements, and the tempo of consultations on contentious issues.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has reiterated that its actions are proportionate and designed to protect Russian interests and civil servants abroad. The ministry emphasizes that the measures are a direct response to Germany’s choice to deploy expulsions and reduce Moscow’s diplomatic footprint within Germany, framing this as a reciprocal step rather than a unilateral escalation. While both sides stress a desire to avoid a full break in dialogue, the current trajectory suggests a difficult path ahead for diplomatic negotiations and for events in the wider European security landscape. In this context, Moscow invites international observers to consider the sequence of moves as part of a broader pattern that has emerged in recent months, where diplomatic tools are used to convey political signals in lieu of direct conversation.
The public discourse surrounding these events reflects a broader debate about sovereignty, reciprocity, and the role of diplomacy in ongoing geopolitical shifts. As Berlin and Moscow navigate these developments, diplomats and analysts expect continued formal communications to be the primary channel for handling disagreements, with the hope that practical measures do not spill over into more destabilizing actions. The situation remains fluid, with officials on both sides urging restraint while they study the implications of the latest expulsions and staffing reductions, and while they monitor reactions from other capitals and international institutions.