Russians on the Goethe-Institut: 'Hostage to politics'

Germany's Goethe-Institut is set to close all Russian branches by Sunday, amid one of the worst spats in the history of relations between Russia and Germany . The Russian Foreign Ministry ordered the closure of the German cultural centers in Moscow , St. Petersburg, and Novosibirsk in response to Berlin's reaction to the attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in early August. The German authorities blamed Moscow for organizing the attack and announced sanctions. They include closing the Russian culture and education center in Berlin, known as the Russian House , and the Russian Consulate General in Bonn, as well tightening visa restrictions for Russian citizens.