Moscow Protests Against German Actions Toward Russian Journalists in Diplomatic Stir

On Friday, Moscow summoned German Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff to express its discontent over what it described as the «persecution» of Russian journalists, according to state media reports.

This action followed claims made by Sergei Feoktistov, Russia’s leading media representative in Berlin, who alleged that German authorities had confiscated his family’s passports after he was instructed to leave the country. He suggested that the passports were taken to prevent his family from seeking asylum, as reported by the RIA Novosti news agency.

“The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the German ambassador today,” the ministry stated, as per RIA.

Relations between Moscow and Berlin have significantly worsened since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Germany has emerged as a key ally for Ukraine, offering substantial military and financial assistance.

Last week, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, warned that Moscow was preparing retaliatory measures and advised German journalists in Russia to “brace themselves.”

Moscow has repeatedly accused Western nations of bias against Russian journalists and imposing restrictions on Kremlin-affiliated media abroad. In 2022, the European Union prohibited the RT network, citing its involvement in disseminating misinformation regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

In response, Russia has blocked numerous Western media platforms and has prohibited several foreign journalists from entering the country.