More than 100 German diplomats, civil servants have to leave Russia: Report

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - More than a hundred German diplomats, civil servants, and teachers have to leave Russia in the coming days amid growing tensions between Berlin and Moscow, local media reported on Saturday.

According to Suddeutsche Zeitung daily, Russia has set an upper limit on the number of civil servants working at the German diplomatic representations and cultural centers in the country.

German diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the daily that the decision might affect a few hundred civil servants, including diplomats, experts, as well as teachers of cultural organization Goethe-Institute.

Moscow’s decision came after Berlin asked mare than 30 Russian diplomats to leave the country in April, accusing them of working undercover as intelligence officers.

Germany’s relations with Russia have been strained over the war in Ukraine, with Berlin accusing Moscow of war crimes, halting bilateral cooperation, and imposing tough economic sanctions.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government pledged strong political and economic support to Kyiv, and delivered weapons to Ukraine since the war broke out last year.