The German economy’s exports to Russia’s immediate neighborhood have, according to the German Federal Statistical Office, skyrocketed since the Ukraine invasion. This is more than suspicious. Are German companies fueling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war through third countries? The answer, in some cases, is 1,000 percent.

Sobering facts: Exports to Kazakhstan, Armenia and Georgia have doubled since the start of the war. Exports to Tajikistan have risen by around 150 percent, to Belarus by 77 percent and to Kyrgyzstan by an astonishing 994 percent.

The Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations presented additional information as reported by Bild:

• Exports of cars to Armenia and to Kazakhstan in 2022, compared to 2021, rose by 761 percent and 507 percent, respectively.
• Machinery exports to Kazakhstan rose by 68 percent.
• Exports of chemical products to Armenia rose by 110 percent; to Kazakhstan, by 129 percent.
• Significant increases in exports of computers, electronics, wood, rubber and plastics, metal products and clothes were also noted.

EuroIntelligence wrote that all of the previous trade with Russia is now being conducted with countries of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

This has led Bild to ask: “Are products from Germany exported to Russia’s neighborhood and then smuggled into Putin’s empire?”

Circumventing sanctions: Bild’s article “Is This How Putin Tricks German Sanctions?” makes it sound as though Putin is circumventing sanctions. However, he can’t force German companies to export more to surrounding nations. In the German political realm, however, there is a certain disbelief that German companies would purposely try to fuel Russia’s war. When confronted, the German government appeared surprised by the revelations. The Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations assured Bild that suspicion against Germany was inappropriate.

German companies are supporting the political sanctions against Russia with full conviction, despite considerable economic losses in some cases. Anything else would be unacceptable.
Gitta Connemann, Christian Democrats economics expert

Innocent industry? Are German companies really that innocent? At the Trumpet, we have reported on key events in Germany’s long track record of supporting Russia since the Ukraine War began. Here are some examples:

• “Germany’s Secret Deal With Russia—Exposed”
• “Germany Is Russia’s Top Oil and Gas Buyer”
• “German Businesses Block Sanctions and Finance Russia’s War”
• “Germany and Russia Are ‘Pulling Together’”
• “Do European Businesses Have Ukrainian Blood on Their Hands?”
• “Europe Remains Russia’s Faithful Business Partner”

Innocent politicians? Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder is considered the man primarily responsible for bringing Germany and Russia together. He pushed through the Nord Stream project that contributes to Germany’s dependence on Russian gas. Despite his controversial past, he remains a member of the ruling Social Democratic Party and a colleague of Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This week, he attended a reception at the Russian Embassy to celebrate Victory in Europe Day.

On May 9, Russia held its usual parade. One of the vehicles on display was the Tigr-M, a multipurpose armored vehicle that, according to Bild, contains German components.

Dangerous cooperation: There is little doubt that the German companies increasing exports to Russia’s neighboring nations are fully aware that these exports may fall into the hands of Russia. The fact that economic considerations have higher priority than enabling Russia’s war is most concerning. But even that understanding fails to see the whole picture.

Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry has repeatedly warned of German-Russian cooperation. Just before Russia’s full-scale invasion, he pointed to German industry as the true source of these deadly dealings. The fact that more and more evidence is emerging of German companies ignoring these sanctions reveals how spot on his analysis is.

All the more sobering is Mr. Flurry’s conclusion of what Germany gets out of the deal with Russia. To understand the biblical prophecies and the recent history behind Germany’s direct support for Russia, read “Rising From the German Underground.”