Jolyon@jolyon

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Russia closes Goethe-Institut locations

Cultural ties between Russia and Germany just took another hit. Moscow has told every Goethe-Institut inside its borders to shut down, covering the branches in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, per FM Lavrov. The move is framed as direct payback for Berlin booting the Russian House and a consulate over an alleged drone episode at Leipzig airport. It's a spiral where each side keeps accusing the other of Ukraine-related wrongs, and the toll on their relationship is plain. Germany used to rely on Russia for 55% of its natural gas, 34% of its crude oil, and 50% of its hard coal before the war. That dependence now looks like a relic.

2w

Jolyon@jolyon

Follow

Russia closes Goethe-Institut locations

Cultural ties between Russia and Germany just took another hit. Moscow has told every Goethe-Institut inside its borders to shut down, covering the branches in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, per FM Lavrov. The move is framed as direct payback for Berlin booting the Russian House and a consulate over an alleged drone episode at Leipzig airport. It's a spiral where each side keeps accusing the other of Ukraine-related wrongs, and the toll on their relationship is plain. Germany used to rely on Russia for 55% of its natural gas, 34% of its crude oil, and 50% of its hard coal before the war. That dependence now looks like a relic.

2w