In light of the impending sanctions against Russia, top managers of German business are planning a videoconference with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The virtual meeting is to be organized by the Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft (German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations), which includes companies such as Allianz, SAP, Siemens, Volkswagen and BASF, and employ a total of 280,000 in Russia. The organization says it is aiming for March 3, but the date could still change.
Members of the Ost-Ausschuss are currently being inquired about their participation. These include Bayer CEO Werner Baumann, Bilfinger Supervisory Board Chairman Eckhard Cordes, tunnel contractor Martin Herrenknecht and the East Westphalian major slaughterhouse and meat processor Clemens Tönnies.
The Uniper energy group said in response to a query: “As a member of the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, we have also been invited.” It said the group believes it is necessary to maintain dialogue even in difficult times.
The Wolfsburg-based VW Group can certainly imagine participating in the planned meeting. “Volkswagen AG has received an invitation from the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations to participate in the economic dialogue with representatives of the Russian government,” a company spokesman said this evening. Provided that the geopolitical situation does not deteriorate further, “participation is planned,” the spokesman added. Volkswagen operates its own car factory not far from Moscow with about 4,000 employees. Various VW and Skoda models as well as engines are manufactured there. There is also a joint venture with Russian manufacturer GAZ in Nizhny Novgorod, east of the capital, where several VW Group models are also produced.
Other participants may be the agricultural equipment manufacturer Claas, building materials producer Knauf, automotive supplier Schaeffler and mechanical engineering company DMG Mori, Ost-Ausschuss chairman Oliver Hermes himself is CEO of the Dortmund-based pump manufacturer Wilo.
Last year, the planned videoconference with Putin was canceled, officially because of the pandemic. And even now it is not known for sure whether the appointment will take place. The organization is in close contact with the German Foreign Ministry, Handelsblatt reported. The Moscow Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) will also take part in the virtual meeting.
