The businesses believe the punitive measures against Russia must urgently be reconsidered, because while a significant number of European companies are on the brink of bankruptcy, Russian companies are faring comparatively well under the sanctions.

Almost two thirds of the companies in East Brandenburg demand the easement of the economic sanctions against Russia, with the stakeholders maintaining that the sanctions have hurt German citizens and companies more severely than the Moscow government. A recent study of the East Brandenburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) reveals that,

more than half of the companies are now in a dire and uncertain situation due to the increased procurement costs and energy prices, as well as the deterioration of supply chains which are breaking up or are already completely broken. The two most heavily affected sectors are logistics and catering. The overwhelming majority of the companies do not consider Western sanctions suitable, because they have failed to end the war and bring the Russian economy to its knees. According to the study, only eleven per cent of the surveyed companies believe that the sanctions are effective.

More than two-thirds of the companies argue that oil supplies from Russia should be continued with a view to the oil refinery at Schwedt.

Eine neue repräsentative Umfrage der IHK Ostbrandenburg belegt, dass die märkischen Unternehmer meiner #Heimat einen gesunden #Menschenverstand haben und AfD-Forderungen teilen: Sanktionen endlich aufheben, Energieversorgung sichern, Diplomatie statt Konfrontation mit #Russland! pic.twitter.com/4OHC3KlgKp

— Hannes Gnauck MdB (@Hannes_Gnauck) August 22, 2022

In addition to diplomatic steps, 80 per cent of those asked believe that extending the operating time of the remaining nuclear power plants in Germany can also help, but recommissioning the reactors that have already been shut down can also be a solution. 74 per cent of the respondents also say it is reasonable to postpone the closing of coal-fired power plants in order to ensure energy supply.

„The federal government should use the current situation as an opportunity to strategically position Germany in the long term regarding essential resources and raw materials exported from abroad. This is the only way for Germany’s economy to remain viable in the event of future conflicts,”

the authors of the study conclude. However, Brandenburg’s Economy Minister Jorg Steinbach from the Social Democratic Party (SPD), disagreed with both the study and the complaints of businesses.

„In my opinion, one cannot weigh up our economic situation and the question of a war that people are fighting for their self-determination and democracy,”

he told public media. The economy minister emphasized that the current situation is certainly very stressful for businesses and people, but noted that he was disappointed by the conclusions drawn by companies, and called the study „flawed”.