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June 27, 2025 – Germany/Russia –
Germany has firmly rejected recent accusations by Russia claiming that Russian journalists are being harassed within German borders. On June 27, 2025, the German Foreign Ministry labeled Moscow’s statements as “unfounded” and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the rule of law and press freedom. A German government spokesperson emphasized that all journalists in Germany, including foreign correspondents, are protected by constitutional rights and operate under transparent legal standards.
The diplomatic dispute escalated after the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned German Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff in Moscow, alleging that Germany had revoked passports and imposed restrictions on the freedom of movement for Russian journalists and their families. Russian officials warned of possible retaliatory actions if what they termed “systematic harassment” did not cease. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova criticized German authorities, suggesting their behavior amounted to politically motivated repression.
Germany refuted these claims, stating that all actions involving Russian media personnel are conducted by immigration laws and not driven by political considerations. Ambassador Lambsdorff described his two-hour meeting in Moscow as “constructive” and noted that discussions focused on clarifying the working conditions for journalists from both countries.
This diplomatic friction comes against a backdrop of mounting tensions between Berlin and Moscow, especially regarding media operations. In late 2024, Russia expelled a German journalist and a camera operator in direct response to Germany’s regulatory actions against Russian state media. The two countries have increasingly used media access and treatment as tools in a broader political standoff.
The German government reiterated its stance that journalists are free to operate in the country as long as they adhere to the law, and it criticized Moscow’s efforts to politicize standard administrative procedures. Meanwhile, press freedom advocates have warned that such accusations from authoritarian states are often used to deflect attention from domestic repression and justify reciprocal crackdowns.
This latest exchange underscores the rising geopolitical significance of media freedom, not just as a civil right but as a contested domain in global diplomacy. As Russia threatens further action, observers fear a renewed wave of tit-for-tat expulsions and tightening restrictions on foreign media.
Reference –
https://dunyanews.tv/en/World/891607-germany-rejects-russian-allegations-of-journalist-harassment
