German authorities are increasingly pressured to shut down the Russian House in Berlin amid suspicions it serves as a front for Kremlin spies and propaganda.
Claims of sanction-busting activities have been raised by Roderich Kiesewetter, a senior figure in Germany’s opposition CDU party. He warns that the center propagates “totalitarian” views and might be evading EU sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. Kiesewetter, a former general staff officer of the Bundeswehr, asserts that the Russian House could function as a hub for Russian agents. “Russian cultural institutions must always be regarded as a political instrument,” Kiesewetter told The Telegraph, calling for close investigations and potential closures of pro-Russian cultural entities. He stressed that the Russian House, managed by Rossotrudnichestvo, an agency viewed as a network for Russian agents, could facilitate espionage.
The Russian House is located on Friedrichstrasse amidst department stores and souvenir shops, the majority of its visitors were Russian expats seeking familiar food and literature. The building features a Russian-language bookshop with translations of popular Western works, a security guard, and a metal detector at the entrance. Since a scandal in October 2022, when the center screened a Holocaust film depicting Ukrainians as Nazis, the Russian House has been cautious to avoid political content.
Despite the pressure, the German government is hesitant to close the Russian House, fearing retaliatory actions from Moscow, such as shutting down Germany’s Goethe Institute in Russia. A spokesman for Germany’s foreign office noted that Rossotrudnichestvo has been under EU sanctions since July 21, 2022, resulting in asset freezes and a ban on economic transactions with the organization.
Pavel Izvolsky, director of the Russian House, expressed confusion over the sanctions, questioning why Rossotrudnichestvo was targeted instead of the Russian defense ministry. Germany, a significant supporter of Ukraine, has committed £21 billion in aid and military equipment. However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz has refrained from sending long-range missiles to Ukraine, fearing severe retaliation from Russia.
German intelligence warns that lax security and pro-Russian sentiment in the former Communist east make the country a prime target for Russian espionage and sabotage. Recent incidents, including a foiled assassination plot against Rheinmetall’s CEO and arrests of German-Russian citizens planning to sabotage US military sites in Bavaria, underscore the ongoing security threats posed by Russian operatives.
It is time to realize that any Russian cultural organization in Europe is an agent of influence aimed at destabilizing the EU.
