Updated

Russia's Foreign Ministry withdrew consent for Germany's consulate general to operate in St. Petersburg, giving diplomats and staff until September 18 to cease operations and leave, in what was described as a tit-for-tat move against Germany, which also ordered closures of Russian facilities. Amid the reciprocal closures, Germany moved to shut a Russian House cultural center in Berlin, a step officials say is more complicated than it appears given years of debate over the institution since Russia's full-scale invasion began. In response, Russia's Rossotrudnichestvo agency announced plans to open 11 new 'Russian Houses' abroad, signaling Moscow's intent to expand its cultural diplomacy network even as ties with Germany deteriorate further.