The German Foreign Ministry commented on the closure of Channel One bureau

The German Foreign Ministry said that the authorities had not taken measures to close the bureau of Channel One in the country's capital. German Foreign Ministry spokesman Christian Wagner told a Cabinet briefing on November 27 that the case may be about visa procedures at the state level.

"The government has not closed the bureau of this channel," he told reporters, his words quoted by RIA Novosti.

A number of other Russian journalists are also accredited in Germany, he said, and the EU sanctions only apply to broadcasting in the European association, which is banned for a number of TV channels and media outlets, but not to work in principle. Wagner noted that Russian media representatives can continue their activities in Germany.

Earlier in the day, Channel One reported that German authorities had decided to close its German bureau. Employees were ordered to leave the country.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing earlier in the day that two journalists from German media group ARD had been expelled as a mirror measure. She noted that Moscow would consider the possibility of accrediting other employees of the company when the FRG government resumes the activities of Channel One's bureau.

Before that, on November 23, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov pointed to the lack of freedom of speech in the West. According to him, some foreign publications publish customized materials and fakes.