Germany's Goethe-Institut announced closure in Russia on 2026-09-10, cancelling language exams and disrupting plans for Russians to study in Germany. The closure removes an important cultural link between the countries.
Russia announced on September 3, 2026, that it would close Goethe-Institut cultural centers in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg in response to Germany's closure of the Russian House in Berlin and the Russian Consulate in Bonn. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterized the move as ending Russia's cultural presence in Germany.