Russia says it is closing German consulate in St. Petersburg
China is increasing visa fees for Japanese citizens to roughly seven times current levels for applications submitted on or after Monday. A single-entry visa will grow from 2,250 yen to 16,750 yen, while a double-entry visa will rise from 3,750 yen to 25,100 yen. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated the adjustment follows the principle of reciprocity after Japan raised visa fees for foreign nationals in July. Meanwhile, Thailand is reducing the visa-free stay period for Kazakh citizens from 60 to 30 days starting September 15, 2026.
What changed
China announced a sevenfold increase in visa fees for Japanese nationals effective Monday, citing reciprocity.
Live updates
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China Raises Visa Fees for Japanese Nationals Sevenfold
China is increasing visa fees for Japanese citizens to roughly seven times current levels for applications submitted on or after Monday. A single-entry visa will grow from 2,250 yen to 16,750 yen, while a double-entry visa will rise from 3,750 yen to 25,100 yen. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated the adjustment follows the principle of reciprocity after Japan raised visa fees for foreign nationals in July. Meanwhile, Thailand is reducing the visa-free stay period for Kazakh citizens from 60 to 30 days starting September 15, 2026.
Why it matters
These visa adjustments reflect shifting diplomatic and immigration policies across Asia. China previously resumed short-term visa waivers for Japanese citizens in November 2024, allowing tourism stays of up to 30 days. Thailand's adjustment aligns Kazakh travelers with the existing bilateral visa exemption agreement for national passport holders.
What is confirmed
- China is raising visa fees for Japanese citizens to about seven times the current level for applications submitted on or after Monday.
- A single-entry visa for Japanese nationals will grow from 2,250 yen to 16,750 yen in China.
- A double-entry Chinese visa for Japanese citizens will rise from 3,750 yen to 25,100 yen.
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the adjustment was made in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.
- Thailand is reducing the visa-free stay period for citizens of Kazakhstan from 60 to 30 days effective September 15, 2026.
Still unconfirmed
- Incursions by Russian drones into Moldovan and Romanian airspace are increasingly common.
What to watch next
- Implementation of China's new visa fees for Japanese nationals starting Monday
- The enforcement of Thailand's reduced 30-day visa-free stay limit for Kazakh citizens on September 15, 2026
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (4)
- jen.jiji.com — China to raise visa fees sevenfold for Japanese nationals
- en.tempo.co — Russia's Drone War Comes to Moldova and Romania
- www.europesays.com — Estonian military intel: Ukraine’s deep strike hits previously unreachable target | News
- jen.jiji.com — Thailand cuts visa-free stay for Kazakh citizens to 30 days
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Russia closes German consulate in St. Petersburg as diplomatic rift widens
Russia has shut the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg as a retaliatory measure. This move follows a drone attack at Leipzig airport last month, which Germany and its allies attributed to Moscow. In a parallel escalation, Germany has ordered more than 150 Russian mission employees and their families to leave the country. Tensions remain high as Russian President Vladimir Putin warns that deploying European troops to Ukraine would trigger a war with Russia.
Why it matters
The diplomatic collapse stems from accusations of state-sponsored terrorism regarding the Leipzig airport plot. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov previously stated that Germany is pushing toward war. The mutual expulsion of diplomats marks a significant decline in bilateral relations.
What is confirmed
- Russia closed the German Consulate General in St. Petersburg as a tit-for-tat response.
- Germany ordered more than 150 employees of Russian missions and their families to leave Germany.
- President Vladimir Putin warned that deploying European troops to Ukraine will mean war with Russia.
What to watch next
- Further expulsions of diplomatic staff between Berlin and Moscow
- Official German response to the closure of the St. Petersburg consulate
- European Union decisions regarding troop deployments to Ukraine
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (8)
- tass.com — Russian embassy says German Consulate General in Russia closed as tit-for-tat response
- anewz.tv — Russia and Ukraine trade attacks as four killed in Ukrainian strikes on Russian port city
- tass.com — Grid-connected data center capacity in Russia reaches 5 GW
- tass.com — FACTBOX: BRICS association profile
- en.tempo.co — Russia to Build Aluminum Plant in Kalimantan, Says Energy Minister
- knews.kathimerini.com.cy — Germany sends more than 150 Russians home as drone dispute deepens
- en.apa.az — European troops deployment to Ukraine will mean war with Russia, Putin warns
- tass.com — First voyage from China to Murmansk converts city into big logistics hub, expert says
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Russia Shuts German Consulate Amid Leipzig Drone Row
Russia has ordered the closure of the German consulate in St. Petersburg in a tit-for-tat retaliatory move. This escalation follows an attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport last month, which Germany and its allies directly blame on Moscow. European Union and NATO officials have condemned the incident, with EU foreign policy chief Kallas labeling the plot state-sponsored terrorism. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov has warned that Germany is pushing toward war and called accusations against Moscow the start of a real war.
Why it matters
The closure of the diplomatic outpost reflects a deepening freeze in relations between Russia and Western nations as a shadow war puts Europe on edge. Germany is currently planning an anti-sabotage shield in response to the airport incident. Western leaders have vowed to step up political and diplomatic pressure on Moscow.
What is confirmed
- Russia ordered the closure of the German consulate in St. Petersburg.
- Germany blamed Russia for last month's attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport.
- EU foreign policy chief Kallas called the alleged Russian drone plot state-sponsored terrorism.
- Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov called accusations of Moscow's involvement in the Leipzig drone incident the start of a real war.
Still unconfirmed
- Germany plans to build an anti-sabotage shield after the airport drone attack.
What to watch next
- Implementation of Germany's planned anti-sabotage shield
- Further diplomatic expulsions or retaliatory measures between Russia and Germany
- Additional coordinated pressure and sanctions from the EU and NATO against Moscow
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (17)
- AP News — EU's Kallas calls alleged Russian drone plot 'state sponsored terrorism' as Europe mulls a response
- NPR — Germany blames Russia for last month's attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport
- BBC — EU and Nato vow to step up pressure on Russia after 'new escalation' in Leipzig
- Fox News — Russia's shadow war is putting Europe on edge as Germany confronts a growing threat
- Reuters — Germany plans anti-sabotage shield after airport drone attack, Bild reports
- Reuters — Russia's Lavrov calls accusations of Moscow's involvement in Leipzig drone incident 'start of real war', TASS reports
- Bloomberg.com — Lavrov Warns That Germany Is Moving Toward War With Russia
- dw.com — Russia says it is closing German consulate in St. Petersburg
- AP News — Russia announces the closure of the German consulate in St. Petersburg
- Al Jazeera — Russia shutters German consulate as diplomatic freeze deepens
- Bloomberg.com — Leipzig Drone Attack Shows Putin Has the West in His Grip
- The Moscow Times — Russia Orders Closures of German Consulate and Cultural Centers in Tit-for-Tat Move