German Consulate General in St. Petersburg ceases operations

The German Consulate General in St. Petersburg officially ceased operations on September 18, ending more than five decades of diplomatic activity in the Russian city.

According to a statement on the diplomatic mission’s website, the German Embassy in Moscow will assume the consulate’s responsibilities.

The German flag, coat of arms and other national symbols were removed from the consulate building on September 17.

The consulate had operated in St. Petersburg since 1972.

The German School affiliated with the consulate has also closed, with its final classes held on September 11. Established in 2009, the school included a kindergarten and primary, middle and upper school levels and had around 150 students.

The closure follows Germany’s decision to shut the Russian Consulate General in Bonn. Russian authorities subsequently decided to close the German diplomatic mission in St. Petersburg.

By Vafa Guliyeva