The European Parliament Has Called For The Closure Of All "Russian Houses" In The EU
- 8.10.2026, 13:19
The initiative was proposed by Rasa Juknevičienė, a Member of the European Parliament from Lithuania.
In the European Parliament, 71 members called on EU leaders to take measures to shut down the “Russian Houses” in EU member states. The lawmakers sent a corresponding appeal to the President of the European Council António Costa, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. The initiative was proposed by Lithuanian MEP Rasa Juknevičienė, according to the Lithuanian Broadcasting Corporation LRT.
The document states that “Russian Houses” continue to operate in 15 EU countries, including Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, and Spain. Members of Parliament called these centers instruments of “hybrid influence” and “coordinators of foreign operations aimed at manipulating information.” The European Parliament emphasized that the umbrella organization for these centers—"Rossotrudnichestvo"—is subject to EU sanctions. However, the closure of branches formally remains within the jurisdiction of national authorities.
In September, Germany officially accused Russia of (organizing a sabotage operation at Leipzig/Halle Airport https://charter97.org/ru/news/2026/10/6/700903/), where a drone carrying explosives was discovered near a Ukrainian military transport aircraft. Following this, German authorities announced the closure of the Russian Consulate General in Bonn and the “Russian House” in Berlin. Moscow rejected the accusations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that, in response to the closure of the “Russian House,” branches of the German Goethe-Institut in Russia would be shut down.
In addition to Germany, following the outbreak of full-scale war in Ukraine, “Russian Houses” were shut down in six EU countries. Specifically, in Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Romania. The reason for suspending the cultural centers’ operations was either the termination of intergovernmental agreements or the expulsion of “Russian House” staff. At the same time, Russia opened new centers in countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, according to the former head of Rossotrudnichestvo Yevgeny Primakov.
“Russian House” is the informal name for Rossotrudnichestvo’s overseas offices, which are tasked with “strengthening Russia’s humanitarian influence in the world.” The EU imposed sanctions against the agency in July 2022.