Only 4% of German companies continuing to operate in the Russian market plan to leave it. This was stated by the lobbying organization "German-Russian Chamber of Commerce." It surveyed businessmen from Germany in Russia.
Only 4% of German companies continuing to operate in the Russian market plan to leave it in the future. Matthias Schepp, the chairman of the lobbying organization "German-Russian Chamber of Commerce," stated this to the dpa agency. The organization is based in Moscow and lobbies for the interests of German businesses in Russia. "Those who are still here in Russia after four years of bloodshed and sanctions want to endure," dpa quoted Schepp on Thursday, January 1.
The organization conducted a survey among approximately 260 German entrepreneurs in Russia. More than half of the executives stated that Western sanctions are causing significant or very significant damage to the Russian economy. More than half of the respondents expect a negative development of the economic situation in Russia in 2026. They fear further tightening of sanctions if the war in Ukraine does not end.
"However, 49% of German companies operating in Russia also believe that the sanctions are causing more harm to Germany than to Russia," noted Schepp. He believes that German and European politicians underestimate the "resilience of the Russian economy," leading to "miscalculations."
Schepp: German Assets in Russia Continue to Grow
The chamber estimates the assets of German businesses in Russia at more than 100 billion euros. "German assets are even growing because Russian laws do not allow profits to be withdrawn from the country in large volumes," noted Schepp. He believes that these assets need to be protected and not allowed to be nationalized by the Russian authorities.
In October, Schepp stated that German companies could lose more than 100 billion euros if the frozen Russian assets in Europe are transferred to Ukraine. In this case, Moscow would respond by nationalizing European, particularly German, assets in Russia, he predicted. "The fact that these funds would end up in the Kremlin's treasury does not serve the interests of Germany and its taxpayers," concluded the head of the chamber.
About 2000 German Companies Continue to Operate in Russia
The "German-Russian Chamber of Commerce" has about 750 members - it is the largest foreign economic association in Russia. According to the chamber's estimates, around 2000 German firms continue to operate in Russia.
