Germany Orders Russia to Close Four of Its Consulates

The German government has told Russia to close four of its five consulates in Germany after Moscow imposed a limit for the number of staff at the German Embassy and related bodies in Russia, Associated Press reports.

German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christofer Burger said the measure is aimed at achieving a "parity of personnel and structures" between the two countries.

According to him, Russia will be allowed to continue operating its embassy in Berlin and another consulate after the end of this year.