Blab Business
Russia, U.S., and Germany Eye Joint Business Forum After AfD Proposal
On September 11, 2026, Russian special presidential envoy for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev revealed that he had discussed a new business forum with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The proposal follows the AfD’s public call to lift sanctions on Russia and to deepen energy ties between Russia, Germany, and the rest of Europe.
The AfD, a far‑right party that has repeatedly urged the removal of sanctions, has long championed closer economic links with the Kremlin. In a statement released by Dmitriev, he quoted the party as saying it “advocates the lifting of sanctions against Russia, which advocates energy interaction between Russia, Germany and Europe, and which is effectively the voice of reason in Europe.” The AfD also suggested a joint business forum and noted that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce had expressed support for American business participation.
Dmitriev, who has led the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) since 2011 and was appointed special presidential envoy in February 2025, has been a central figure in Russia’s bid to attract foreign investment amid a broad sanctions regime. The RDIF, a sovereign wealth fund created by the Russian government, has been subject to U.S. sanctions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Despite these restrictions, Dmitriev has kept lines of communication open with Western business leaders and has met with U.S. officials, including Jared Kushner, son‑in‑law of former President Donald Trump, and White House special envoy Steve Witkoff.
The proposed forum would bring together representatives from Russian, U.S., and German business communities to explore investment opportunities and economic cooperation. While no official date or agenda has been set, Dmitriev said that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s backing could help secure participation from American firms. The initiative follows a series of Russia‑U.S. talks on energy and economic issues that have continued even as Ukraine peace negotiations paused.
The AfD’s stance on sanctions and energy ties reflects a broader political narrative that positions the party as a critic of European Union policies toward Russia. Its platform includes opposition to immigration, Islam, and the EU, and it was classified as a right‑wing extremist organization by German authorities in 2025, a designation that was later suspended following a 2026 court injunction.
Russia’s engagement with Western business has been constrained by sanctions from the United States, the European Union, and other countries. These sanctions target individuals, companies, and sectors such as energy, finance, and technology. In response, Russia has sought to diversify its economic partnerships and to create platforms that facilitate investment from non‑sanctioning countries.
The forum proposal is a calculated effort to build a multilateral business environment that could sidestep some of the restrictions imposed by Western sanctions. By involving Germany—a key EU member and major player in European energy markets—Russia may hope to leverage German economic influence to encourage broader participation.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s support signals that some U.S. business groups are willing to explore opportunities in Russia, provided they can navigate the legal and regulatory challenges posed by sanctions. The Chamber’s endorsement also underscores the commercial interest in maintaining ties with Russian markets, especially in sectors such as energy, technology, and infrastructure.
Whether the forum materializes will hinge on several factors: the willingness of U.S. firms to engage under the current sanctions regime, the German government’s stance on Russia‑related business, and the broader geopolitical climate. If it proceeds, the forum could become a platform for dialogue on investment, energy cooperation, and economic policy among the three countries.
At present, no official date or agenda has been announced. Russian officials have indicated openness to discussions, while German and U.S. authorities have not yet confirmed participation. The initiative remains a proposal, and its feasibility will be tested in the coming weeks as parties assess legal, political, and commercial implications.
The forum proposal arrives as Russia continues to seek ways to mitigate the economic impact of sanctions. The Russian government has emphasized the importance of maintaining energy and investment flows, and the AfD’s advocacy for lifting sanctions aligns with this objective. Whether the forum will become a reality remains to be seen, but it represents a notable development in Russia’s ongoing efforts to engage with Western business communities.
Next steps are likely to involve formal invitations to potential participants, clarification of the legal framework for U.S. and German firms, and coordination with international regulatory bodies. The outcome of these discussions will determine whether the forum becomes a reality or remains a diplomatic proposal.
The forum’s potential impact on international trade, investment flows, and geopolitical relations will be closely watched by policymakers, investors, and analysts. As the situation evolves, stakeholders will need to monitor developments in sanctions policy, diplomatic relations, and the broader economic environment to assess the forum’s viability and implications.
The AfD, a far‑right party that has repeatedly urged the removal of sanctions, has long championed closer economic links with the Kremlin. In a statement released by Dmitriev, he quoted the party as saying it “advocates the lifting of sanctions against Russia, which advocates energy interaction between Russia, Germany and Europe, and which is effectively the voice of reason in Europe.” The AfD also suggested a joint business forum and noted that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce had expressed support for American business participation.
Dmitriev, who has led the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) since 2011 and was appointed special presidential envoy in February 2025, has been a central figure in Russia’s bid to attract foreign investment amid a broad sanctions regime. The RDIF, a sovereign wealth fund created by the Russian government, has been subject to U.S. sanctions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Despite these restrictions, Dmitriev has kept lines of communication open with Western business leaders and has met with U.S. officials, including Jared Kushner, son‑in‑law of former President Donald Trump, and White House special envoy Steve Witkoff.
The proposed forum would bring together representatives from Russian, U.S., and German business communities to explore investment opportunities and economic cooperation. While no official date or agenda has been set, Dmitriev said that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s backing could help secure participation from American firms. The initiative follows a series of Russia‑U.S. talks on energy and economic issues that have continued even as Ukraine peace negotiations paused.
The AfD’s stance on sanctions and energy ties reflects a broader political narrative that positions the party as a critic of European Union policies toward Russia. Its platform includes opposition to immigration, Islam, and the EU, and it was classified as a right‑wing extremist organization by German authorities in 2025, a designation that was later suspended following a 2026 court injunction.
Russia’s engagement with Western business has been constrained by sanctions from the United States, the European Union, and other countries. These sanctions target individuals, companies, and sectors such as energy, finance, and technology. In response, Russia has sought to diversify its economic partnerships and to create platforms that facilitate investment from non‑sanctioning countries.
The forum proposal is a calculated effort to build a multilateral business environment that could sidestep some of the restrictions imposed by Western sanctions. By involving Germany—a key EU member and major player in European energy markets—Russia may hope to leverage German economic influence to encourage broader participation.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s support signals that some U.S. business groups are willing to explore opportunities in Russia, provided they can navigate the legal and regulatory challenges posed by sanctions. The Chamber’s endorsement also underscores the commercial interest in maintaining ties with Russian markets, especially in sectors such as energy, technology, and infrastructure.
Whether the forum materializes will hinge on several factors: the willingness of U.S. firms to engage under the current sanctions regime, the German government’s stance on Russia‑related business, and the broader geopolitical climate. If it proceeds, the forum could become a platform for dialogue on investment, energy cooperation, and economic policy among the three countries.
At present, no official date or agenda has been announced. Russian officials have indicated openness to discussions, while German and U.S. authorities have not yet confirmed participation. The initiative remains a proposal, and its feasibility will be tested in the coming weeks as parties assess legal, political, and commercial implications.
The forum proposal arrives as Russia continues to seek ways to mitigate the economic impact of sanctions. The Russian government has emphasized the importance of maintaining energy and investment flows, and the AfD’s advocacy for lifting sanctions aligns with this objective. Whether the forum will become a reality remains to be seen, but it represents a notable development in Russia’s ongoing efforts to engage with Western business communities.
Next steps are likely to involve formal invitations to potential participants, clarification of the legal framework for U.S. and German firms, and coordination with international regulatory bodies. The outcome of these discussions will determine whether the forum becomes a reality or remains a diplomatic proposal.
The forum’s potential impact on international trade, investment flows, and geopolitical relations will be closely watched by policymakers, investors, and analysts. As the situation evolves, stakeholders will need to monitor developments in sanctions policy, diplomatic relations, and the broader economic environment to assess the forum’s viability and implications.
