Several AfD deputies are defending their participation in the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. Jörg Urban, the AfD leader in Saxony, told “Politico” that Russia has lost massive amounts of confidence in European and German politics. He claimed the goal is to help rebuild this trust so that economic and cultural exchanges with Russia can resume as soon as possible.
In a similar statement to the magazine, Brandenburg Bundestag member Steffen Kotré asserted that depicting Russia as the greatest threat to Germany, Europe, and transatlantic security is “completely groundless”. Kotré argued the opposite is true, suggesting that the West has viewed Russia as an enemy and subsequently increased its military buildup.
European politician Petr Bystron criticized the sanctions imposed by established parties, calling them “stupid and non-functional”. He expressed the German public’s desire to once again purchase affordable gas and crude oil from Russia. Bystron continued, stating, “We will fight for the German industry to be able to gain a foothold back in that market”.
