[Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Closing the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg and the Goethe-Institut in Russia] On September 8, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on its official website on the 7th saying that Russia revoked the operating license of the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg and required the German Goethe-Institut in Russia to cease operations. The statement said that in response to Germany's previous unfriendly decision to close the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the cultural institution "Russia House" in Berlin, Russia announced the following response measures to the German Charge d'affaires in Russia: revoking the operating license of the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg, requiring it to close no later than September 18, and consulate personnel to leave the country no later than that day; requiring the Goethe-Institut, a German cultural institution in Russia, to cease operations, and its employees must leave the country before September 13. The statement said that Germany has once again caused the further deterioration of bilateral relations, and all consequences arising therefrom should be fully borne by Germany. According to previous news from Russia, Krasnitsky, the Russian Consul General in Bonn, Germany, said on the 5th that Germany has asked about 70 staff of the Consulate General to leave the country before September 18. Germany’s decision to close the Russian Consulate General is unfounded and regrettable. (CCTV News)