Business as usual: Why German-Russian trade ties won't die | The Dip Podcast
German companies once saw Russia as a key market, built on decades of trade, energy ties, and mutual dependence. But since the invasion of Ukraine
German companies once saw Russia as a key market, built on decades of trade, energy ties, and mutual dependence. But since the invasion of Ukraine, that relationship has unraveled. Exports have collapsed, companies have exited, and new markets are replacing old ones. And yet, a surprising narrative persists that some businesses might eventually return.
Is there any truth to that? DW’s The Dip speaks to Andreas Jahn from the German Association for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses and Russia expert John Lough about what’s really happening inside German boardrooms. They explore the sharp decline in interest, the risks companies still face,
and whether doing business with Russia is fundamentally changing, or simply on pause. Chapters 00:00 The push to return to Russia 01:14 Behind the "return" narrative 04:18 Russian market: surface view 05:36 Collapsed German business interest 07:05 The “special” Germany-Russia relationship 10:08 The reality of doing
business in Russia 13:05 Why companies stay or leave 15:10 Where German companies are going instead 15:54 Conditions for a Russian comeback 18:39 A broken relationship For more news go to Follow DW on social media ► ►TikTok ► ► Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie Subscribe
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