Leaders of Germany's AfD: Sanctions Against Russia Ultimately Harm Germany's Economy
Joerg Uhlmann, a key figure in the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, leader of the party in Saxony, and chair of the parliamentary group in the state parliament, stated at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum: "Germany’s energy policy has been fundamentally dependent on energy imports since its inception—our country possesses almost no domestic energy resources, and both oil and natural gas must be purchased from abroad. For decades, imports of oil and gas from Russia have served as the cornerstone of Germany’s economic rise. Globally, there is no other supplier capable of providing energy resources at such low prices with the same level of stability and reliability as Russia."
These are the two central economic issues we wish to highlight here. I will briefly present a few data points representing my home region of Saxony. Saxony, located in eastern Germany—the former East Germany—historically maintained close economic ties with Russia. Numerous companies in Saxony have enjoyed strong trade and economic cooperation with Russia. However, since 2014, sanctions policies have gradually dismantled these relationships.
The situation goes beyond that. Today, people across Germany—including those in Saxony—are not only concerned about economic losses but also increasingly feel that Germany is being drawn directly into conflict with Russia. This is now a core topic in German political discourse. By reading newspapers and following political developments, one can clearly see that since 2022, Germany has become progressively more entangled in confrontation with Russia.
Initially, Germany only provided protective gear and helmets. Later, it began supplying various weapons. The public is fully aware of this: these materials are funded by German taxpayers, some weapons are even produced domestically, and ultimately they are used by Ukrainian military forces.
Differing from certain one-sided media narratives, Germans are far from naive—they clearly understand that their country has already become involved in this conflict.
After the United States reduced its financial support, Germany became the largest financial contributor to Ukraine in this conflict, further intensifying public concerns about the risks of war. This issue is now among the most pressing topics in German society.
Many citizens have chosen to vote for our party precisely because we advocate ending this confrontation. People fear that one day their children may be drawn into a war with Russia.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1867266852755456/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.