Weimar Triangle Ministers Rally Behind Germany After Russia Shuts Goethe Institutes

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed regret on Thursday over Russia's decision to close the Goethe-Institut cultural centres in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. Speaking at a Weimar Triangle meeting in Weimar, he described the institutes as an important cultural bridge between the two nations.

"We would have been ready to continue that," Wadephul said, adding that the problem lies with the Russian leadership rather than the Russian people, with whom Germany has historically enjoyed friendly relations.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the closures at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, framing the move as a matter of national "self-respect." The decision follows Berlin's accusation that Moscow was behind an attempted attack at Leipzig Airport on August 4, which led Germany to order the closure of the Russian Consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin.

At the Weimar press conference, Wadephul welcomed the backing of European partners, calling it an "impressive display of solidarity" that has not gone unnoticed in Moscow.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reiterated France's full solidarity with Germany, confirming that Paris had summoned the Russian chargé d'affaires to lodge a strong protest. "An act of such gravity targeting transport infrastructure in the heart of Europe cannot remain without consequence," he said.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said Warsaw supports Germany's response and has taken similar measures, including closing the Russian consulate and Russian House in Berlin. He confirmed Poland had summoned the Russian ambassador to condemn what he termed "state-sponsored terrorism" and hostile actions on European soil.

The three ministers met in Weimar under the framework of the Weimar Triangle to discuss foreign, European, and security policy.