As well, Germany became the main lobbyist for lifting sanctions against Russia at the business level. In 2019, German companies are looking at Russia with growing fears: business expectations have deteriorated significantly over the previous year. In addition to the volatile ruble rate, the main risk factors are sanctions against Russia. This is the key findings of the 16th Business Survey of the Eastern Committee - the Eastern German Business Association (OAOEV) and the German-Russian Chamber of Commerce, which were announced late last year. The study was attended by 168 German companies, which accounted for almost a third trade turnover with Russia in 2018. By weakening European sanctions against Russia, Germany wants to demonstrate the inappropriate momemt for imposing tighter American sanctions by the U.S. The main effect of American restrictive measures is the state of uncertainty. Nobody knows what kind of sanctions can be imposed and how they can affect companies that have business in Russia. The main question - what will Washington do next? German companies have a lot to lose, and this is not only a reputation, as in the case of the Siemens turbines supply to Crimea, but also real money for many other companies.
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The article was published originally at the Mirror Weekly