Germany has markedly reduced its reliance on Russian energy supply in the aftermath of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, Germany’s economy and political system remain susceptible to Russian influence. The extensive informal networks that Russia has established over many years are alive and well. These networks play an instrumental role in fostering dependencies, promoting disinformation, and exploiting institutional and societal vulnerabilities, all while adapting to new geopolitical realities.

These are some of the main conclusions from the discussion during the public launch of CSD’s latest report on Networks of Power: Russia’s Shadow Influence in Germany, held in Berlin on 12 December, 2024, co-organized by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

CSD experts were joined by Anastasia Vishnevskaya-Mann, Research Assistant to the Member of the German Parliament, Renata Alt, and Susanne Spahn, Eastern European historian, political scientist, and journalist.  

During the public launch event Ms. Vishnevskaya-Mann noted that Russia’s foreign policy is not value-based, but rather aims to maximize Russia’s geopolitical influence as well as profits for Putin’s inner circle. Dr. Spahn added that Moscow has been able to successfully undermine Germany’s institutional autonomy, democratic resilience, and political determination.

The discussion addressed the growing threats posed by Russian influence on German democracy, including its infiltration into political and economic systems. Participants explored tangible strategies for strengthening institutional and democratic resilience to counteract these manipulations.

The panelists agreed that in order to dismantle the networks that continue facilitating the Kremlin Playbook, Germany must take decisive action to strengthen the resilience of democratic institutions in coordination with its European and global partners. This includes the adoption of a threat assessment model in key vulnerable institutions, the de-risking and decoupling of trade, investment and technological cooperation networks, as well as the strengthening the sanctions enforcement to dry out the German and EU financial flows into Kremlin’s war chest.