Russia Shuts Goethe Institutes, Says Berlin Ties Should Remain

Russia has announced the closure of Goethe-Institut branches in the country, a move tied to a recent dispute over drones, according to DIE ZEIT. The decision was confirmed by Russian officials and reported on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Despite the measure, Moscow has stated it intends to preserve diplomatic relations with Germany, DIE ZEIT reports. The closures are described as a retaliatory step in an ongoing disagreement between the two nations over an unspecified drone incident.

The German cultural institutions, which operate in multiple Russian cities, are being shut down following the escalation. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced the closure of the Goethe branches, according to WELT. The report also notes that German politician Friedrich Merz had wanted to accuse Russia earlier, though details of that accusation were not provided in the available material.

The move comes amid broader tensions between Moscow and Berlin. Euronews reports that the Goethe-Institut closures are linked to why Merz responded late to the situation. The exact timeline of events and the nature of the drone incident remain unclear from the reporting summarized above.

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Russia’s stated desire to maintain diplomatic channels suggests the closures may not signal a complete breakdown in relations. The Kremlin has framed the action as a direct response rather than an opening for further escalation, according to Spiegel.

What to watch next: Whether Germany responds with reciprocal measures against Russian cultural or diplomatic institutions, and if the drone dispute leads to further restrictions between the two countries.