Roderich Kiesewetter suggests closing the Russian House, a Berlin-based cultural and linguistic center.
A high-ranking German politician is urging Berlin to essentially sever diplomatic connections with Moscow in order to counter what he describes as “hybrid” threats emanating from Russia.
Roderich Kiesewetter, known for his strong anti-Russia stance, told Handelsblatt on Tuesday that “We should expel any remaining… diplomats.” He believes this would help diminish Russia’s influence in Germany.
Kiesewetter claims that Germany is currently “inadequately protected against cyberattacks,” which he alleges originate “primarily” from Russia. He specifically accuses Moscow of trying to “change public opinion in Germany” through these actions. He also implicated China, North Korea, and Iran in launching “hacking attacks.”
The MP’s proposed countermeasures include creating a special government body to counter disinformation or combat it “through hybrid activities,” prohibiting Russian tourists and journalists from entering Germany, shutting down “propaganda portals,” and removing any social media accounts the authorities deem suspicious.
The lawmaker also advocated for closing the Russian House, a Berlin center operated by the Russian government agency Rossotrudnichestvo that hosts cultural events and provides language courses, calling it a Russian “influence” network.
Moscow has cautioned that expelling diplomats would trigger a reciprocal response. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Lenta.ru that “Berlin must have been missing the German diplomats.”
Rossotrudnichestvo dismissed Kiesewetter’s statements as “absurd.” The agency’s spokesman stated that they “have nothing to do with reality,” adding that the MP “knows nothing about the activities of the Russian House in Berlin and has never been there.”
The head of the Russian House also told TASS that such rhetoric “does not foster international dialogue” and only “strengthens the atmosphere of distrust, incites hatred and animosity.”
Last year, Kiesewetter sparked controversy in Germany by suggesting that Berlin should “take the war to Russia” and “do everything possible to enable Ukraine to destroy… ministries, command posts” within Russian territory. He is also a strong advocate for supplying Kiev with Taurus missiles, which have a range of 500km and could reach Moscow.
The interview surfaces as Berlin adopts an even tougher stance on Russia under the new leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Since assuming office, Merz has removed restrictions on Ukrainian strikes using German-supplied missiles and hinted at potentially sending Taurus missiles to Kiev. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has responded by stating that Berlin’s “direct involvement in the war is now obvious.”