German authorities monitor Russian House in Berlin amid intelligence allegations

The German government has stated that there are no immediate plans to close the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin, despite allegations that the institution is being used as a cover for Russian intelligence services. These claims follow a report by WDR and Süddeutsche Zeitung citing an assessment from the French Ministry of the Interior.

The German Foreign Office noted that the situation is legally complex due to bilateral agreements regarding property matters between Germany and Russia. These agreements also affect the Goethe-Institut in Moscow, meaning the two institutions are interconnected. While the operating company of the Russian House is sanctioned due to the war in Ukraine, the agreements dictate how property taxes are handled; for instance, the German Foreign Office pays 70,000 euros annually in property tax to the state of Berlin rather than to the Russian House itself.

The Federal Ministry of the Interior confirmed that security authorities are monitoring the institution for potential influence or disinformation activities.