Russia has announced retaliatory measures against Germany in response to Berlin’s decision to close the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin.

Axar.az reports, citing the Russian Foreign Ministry, that Moscow was withdrawing its consent for the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg to operate. The consulate must cease operations by September 18, with all its staff required to leave Russia by that date.

Russia also ordered German Goethe cultural centers in the country to cease operations. Their dispatched employees must leave Russia by September 13, the ministry said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said the measures were a response to what it described as “unfriendly actions” by Germany and accused German authorities of provoking “a new round of escalation” in bilateral relations.

“The entire responsibility for the consequences lies entirely with the government of the Federal Republic of Germany,” the ministry said.

It should be noted that on September 1, Germany announced that Russia’s Consulate General in Bonn would be closed and the Russian House in Berlin would cease operations. The decision was linked to a drone loaded with explosives discovered at Leipzig Airport a month earlier.

Germany accused Russia of attempting sabotage.