Berlin bridges: AfG discusses participation in the Russia-USA–Germany business Forum with Moscow

"Alternative for Germany" (AdG) is in contact with Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation, Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, regarding the holding of the Russia-Germany–USA business forum. This was stated to "Izvestia" by the deputy chairman of the AFD faction in the Bundestag, Markus Fronmaier. Dmitriev previously announced Russia's readiness to organize the event in 2027. The forum is supported by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham). Its head, Robert Agee, clarified that so far this is only an idea and a concept, but if there is a decision to launch this mechanism, AmCham is ready to join. About what could be discussed at such an event and how it influenced the political dialogue between the countries, see the "Izvestia" article.

Russia– USA–Germany Business Forum

The idea of holding a Russia-Germany–USA business forum remains on the agenda. ""Markus Fronmaier, deputy head of the "Alternative for Germany" faction in the Bundestag, told Izvestia that he was discussing this initiative together with Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and special representative of the President of the Russian Federation for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries.

— We are in contact with Mr. Dmitriev. Information about the venues will be published in due course," said Fronmaier.

For the first time, Dmitriev spoke about the possibility of holding an event in early September. He said that Russia would propose to organize a Russian-German-American business forum in 2027 with the participation of the AfD in order to resume business dialogue and "restore common sense." He later said that more than 20 requests for participation had already been received from German entrepreneurs — according to him, they were coming "in a flurry." Markus Fronmaier clarified that the AfG intends to raise the topics of "Nord Stream" and economic cooperation at the forum. This idea was discussed not only with the AfD party, but the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) also approves the initiative.

"We support this initiative, as we do any creative agenda aimed at restoring business ties between Russia and other countries," Robert Agee, head of AmCham, told Izvestia. — So far, this is just an idea, a concept. But if there is a decision to launch this mechanism, we will be happy to join the work so that the event takes place and gives a start to the restoration of business relations.

According to Kirill Dmitriev, a specific venue for the business forum will be determined towards the end of the year. One of the neutral countries may become the venue — it is possible that the meeting will take place in the Middle East.

— It is important that this will be a pragmatic, correct forum on how to return to joint business projects, on how not to let politicians interrupt the business dialogue between the countries in the future, - the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and the special representative of the Russian president emphasized earlier.

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Experts interviewed by "Izvestia" believe that the key theme of the event may be energy. This issue is now a priority, as Europe is sorely short of resources: there is not enough expensive American LNG, and supplies from the Persian Gulf are effectively blocked. German political scientist Alexander Rahr believes that the focus will be on the future of the surviving infrastructure and the possible restart of the "Nord Stream".

In addition, participants can discuss joint production and supply of rare earth metals (in 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the potential for US cooperation in this area). In this scheme, a special role can be assigned to the Northern Sea Route, the Russian Arctic route, which can become the main global corridor between Europe and Asia, notes Alexander Rahr.

The contribution of business dialogue to the development of Russia's relations with Germany and the United States

The idea of the business forum was born in the context of the rapid growth in popularity of the "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) party. In the elections to the landtags of Mecklenburg—Vorpommern and Saxony-Anhalt, for the first time, she managed to bypass the ruling forces — the CDU and the SPD — and take first place. In Berlin, the AfG finished third. The party has been in the lead for many months across the country: opinion polls show that about 29% of voters are ready to support it.

Alice Weidel, co-chair of "Alternative for Germany", said earlier that it was important for her party to open a channel of dialogue with Russia together with the United States, including regarding negotiations on gas supplies from the Russian Federation. On September 19, Kirill Dmitriev allowed the possibility of working with the AFG to restore the "Nord Stream" pipeline. He also previously held a meeting in New York with special envoys of the US President Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Dmitry Peskov, the Russian president's press secretary, said that Dmitriev "continues to focus on issues of potential economic cooperation."

Alexander Rahr notes that entrepreneurs today, as during the Cold War, can pave the way to diplomacy. A pragmatic business is much better prepared for non-standard forms of cooperation than ideologically constrained politicians. Over time, the economic lobby must find levers and arguments to convince the leadership of Western countries to return to cooperation with the Russian Federation.

Russia has repeatedly stated its readiness to restore dialogue with Europe, especially in the energy sector. The Kremlin calls the possibility of resuming gas supplies to European countries a "commercial issue." According to presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Moscow is ready to discuss such an option if it is beneficial to Russia and it is possible to reserve the necessary volumes for it.

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""Vladislav Belov, head of the Center for German Studies at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Izvestia that today a business dialogue "from below" is not able to push through tough political barriers or act as a powerful catalyst for the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions by official Berlin. Nevertheless, it is very necessary: a gradual cumulative effect may force politicians to pay attention to the position of business. The Russia–USA–Germany Forum will be criticized, but it can become a platform for demonstrating exactly what the West is losing by refusing to cooperate with Russia.

Such events are also an opportunity to restore contacts between experts. The German-Russian Friendship Society is still active in Germany, and the head of its Berlin branch, Torsten Rexin, has already stated that he is ready to send a delegation to the business forum. The meeting is supported by the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Vladislav Belov said that his representatives are also ready to participate in the event.