CDU foreign policy politician Roderich Kiesewetter alleges that the Russian House in Berlin operates as an intelligence facility and is calling for its immediate closure. Speaking to the news outlet “Welt,” he stated that over 100 people reside in the house, noting that no one knows their identities or the reason for their presence there. He points to the building’s high energy consumption as evidence, suggesting that the amount of electricity used could not be justified by the stated population. While he concedes the cultural activities it offers are unusual, he posits that the high power usage indicates the presence of sophisticated technical equipment, leading him to believe the house is used to house individuals who are there by Russian design.
Kiesewetter labels the Russian House a “hub that is likely full of technical intelligence and full of people who are not favorable toward Germany.” He further suspects that certain activities previously conducted at the Russian Embassy on Unter den Linden have been moved into the Russian House.
He recalled that the building used to function as a cultural institution where he, as a Russia correspondent, often attended events. He asserts that this is no longer the case and that the building is now effectively closed. “This house is a symbol of our weakness and Russian influence,” he asserted.
As for potential retaliation, Kiesewetter dismisses the fear of countermeasures as unwarranted. He maintains that Germany would not close the Russian House out of fear that Goethe Institutes in Russia might subsequently close. “So what? They would just be closed then,” he concluded.
