Economic Forum: AfD Politicians Seek New Contacts in Russia
At a Kremlin-backed forum in St. Petersburg, several AfD politicians called for closer German-Russian ties and an end to sanctions.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Several AfD figures used the St. Petersburg Economic Forum to argue for a normalization of relations with Russia, openly criticizing sanctions and Germany’s role in the Ukraine war. The trip drew a warning from the German Foreign Office but strong applause from the Russian audience.
A few AfD politicians went to Russia and said Germany should talk and trade with Russia again. It is like neighbors who had a huge fight and now one side is trying to restart the friendship, even though the fight is still going on.
Analysis
What happened
Several AfD politicians attended the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, which was organized under the patronage of Vladimir Putin, and argued for restoring German-Russian ties. Markus Frohnmaier, the AfD’s deputy parliamentary leader, said it was not in Germany’s national interest to avoid trade with Russia and repeated his party’s call for normalization.
Frohnmaier also attacked Germany’s involvement in the Ukraine war and described Western sanctions against Russia as “absurd.” He went a step further by promoting the return of comparatively cheap Russian gas deliveries. The article says he met Gazprom chief Alexei Miller the day before the discussion.
Who else was there
Jörg Urban, the AfD leader in Saxony, also took part and said Russian artists should again be able to perform freely in Germany. The forum also included EU lawmaker Petr Bystron and Bundestag member Steffen Kotré, who likewise supported a normalizing of German-Russian relations. They shared a panel with German conductor Justus Frantz.
Reactions and setting
Kirill Dmitriev, the Kremlin’s envoy for Russia’s foreign economic relations, moderated the event and praised the AfD politicians for coming to St. Petersburg despite criticism in Germany. The German Foreign Office had advised against the trip. According to the article, the Russian audience responded with strong applause, and the speakers also appeared in state media.
The story is less about policy detail than about political signaling: AfD figures are using a high-profile Russian stage to argue that Germany should step back from confrontation and re-engage economically and culturally with Moscow.
Key points
- AfD politicians spoke at a Kremlin-backed economic forum in St. Petersburg.
- Markus Frohnmaier argued that Germany should not avoid trade with Russia and attacked sanctions.
- Jörg Urban, Petr Bystron, and Steffen Kotré also backed normalization of German-Russian relations.
- The German Foreign Office had advised against the trip.
- Russian officials and the audience welcomed the delegation warmly.
If this line of argument gained support, it could reopen channels for dialogue between Germany and Russia. The article suggests its advocates believe that trade, cultural exchange, and energy ties could be rebuilt.
The trip may deepen political criticism inside Germany because it comes while Russia’s war against Ukraine continues. It also risks appearing to legitimize Kremlin messaging, especially given the Foreign Office’s warning and the strong applause from the Russian side.
