Court Rules Russian House in Berlin Falls under EU Sanctions Despite Ongoing Cultural Activities

The Russian House for Science and Culture in Berlin remains open with thousands of visitors despite EU sanctions imposed after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Bavarian Administrative Court ruled in June 2025 that the institution is part of the Russian state entity Rossotrudnitchestvo, which is on the EU sanctions list. Consequently, the Russian House's financial transactions are tightly controlled and require Bundesbank approval. The court found that its electricity consumption was higher in 2023 compared to pre-sanction times in 2022, indicating activities beyond mere substance maintenance allowed under sanctions. The Russian House's attempts to dispute its ties to Rossotrudnitchestvo were dismissed. Additionally, sanctions prohibit it from generating revenue through rents, cultural events, or language courses, but such activities apparently continue. Berlin prosecutors have opened investigations into possible sanctions violations related to rent payments benefiting the listed Russian entity. The German government states it is legally bound by a 2013 bilateral agreement valid for 99 years to continue property-related payments, including 70,000 euros for property tax in 2026. Political calls intensify to close the Russian House to prevent it acting as a Russian propaganda tool.