Politicians in Germany are reacting with incomprehension and criticism to Moscow’s decision: numerous German civil servants have to leave the country. SPD foreign politician Roth, for example, speaks of a “dramatic” development.
No illusions about Russia, please: This is how the SPD politician Michael Roth assesses the development. Roth said that ARD Capital Studio: “Russia acts the way a dictatorship acts.” For the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, “the regime is pursuing a policy of threats and intimidation”.
Roth speaks of dramatic conditions – but it is important to maintain a minimum diplomatic presence as much as possible. Germany needs them, for example, for humanitarian emergencies and the last remaining channels of political communication.
Federal Foreign Office: Not justified and not understandable
With the latest development, the exchange of blows between Russia and Germany is entering the next round. This time, however, not only diplomats who have to leave Russia are affected, but also teachers and employees of the Goethe Institute, as the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” reports. Russia introduces a maximum number for all such officials. The Foreign Office has that ARD Capital Studio confirmed.
The ministry said: “This limit set by Russia from the beginning of June requires a major cut in all areas of our presence in Russia.” However, the Federal Foreign Office does not provide any information on exactly how many people are affected. The “Süddeutsche” speaks of several hundred.
The Foreign Ministry sharply criticized the measure and spoke of a “unilateral, unjustified and incomprehensible decision”.
The two countries have repeatedly expelled each other’s diplomats. Most recently, Germany had pushed for the departure of Russian representatives at the end of April. From the government’s point of view, they were suspected of espionage and probably worked for Russian intelligence services. After that, more than twenty Germans had to pack their bags in Russia. The current step, however, goes beyond the employees in embassies. The SPD foreign politician Roth demands: The federal government must ensure that all employees of the Russian secret services and security forces really have to leave Germany.
Greens: answer “like with like”.
The green defense and foreign policy politician Sara Nanni reacted similarly. For them, the most important thing is to answer “like with like” at the diplomatic level. This applies in particular to espionage activities by Russia in Germany. The fact that teachers now also have to leave Russia is definitely a problem for cultural exchange, says Nanni. But you shouldn’t fool yourself either. “Russia put the ax on this cultural exchange massively before it invaded Ukraine again.” That’s why you’re not experiencing a surprise, but rather a continuation of the previous development.
The Social Democrat Roth recalls that what he calls “civil society’s freedom of movement” has recently been systematically and massively curtailed. Russia fears the “power of freedom, the attractiveness of an open exchange of views, peaceful encounters”. And yet: “The fact that the last little candles of hope are now being blown out is frustrating and disappointing.”
“Russia lowers the shutters”
For Jürgen Hardt, the foreign policy spokesman for the Union faction in the Bundestag, Russian-German relations have reached a low point. It will be a long time before normal conditions can be returned. That is extremely unfortunate. But Russia is increasingly isolated, but is not reacting to this with a change of course. Rather, it is now letting the shutters down further, so that “just don’t let any thought come in from the outside to Russia”. If Russia no longer only expels embassy employees, then it will affect institutions that ensure that people get closer. “But that’s exactly what Putin probably doesn’t want.” Because he fears that the truth about this war will then also be brought before people’s eyes.
Announcement of countermeasures?
The exchange of blows should not end there. Although formulated diplomatically, the reaction of the Federal Foreign Office can certainly be understood as an announcement of countermeasures. The ministry said: “With regard to the upper limit for the Russian presence in Germany, the federal government will ensure that there is a real balance in practice.