Independent journalist commented on German companies’ demands for compensation for forced departure from Russia
The situation regarding the German companies seeking for compensation for their forced withdrawal from Russia has exposed all the realities of modern European capitalism – as noted by political scientist and independent German journalist Gregor Spitzen in his talk with the Soloviev Live TV channel
The German Business Insider Bureau earlier reported that Volkswagen Bank, Siemens Mobility and other German companies are seeking for compensation from the German federal government due to losses incurred because of the inability to continue their profitable business in Russia after the start of the special military operation due to the imposed sanctions. In total, the sum stands at almost 3bn Euros.
“Most likely, German companies will receive some symbolic compensation, but we understand that 3bn Euros is absolutely not compensation for the losses that German concerns suffered. BASF alone, as far as I remember, lost about 6.5bn Euros in direct investments from the loss of the Russian market. If we add up all the amounts that German concerns have lost (automotive concerns, energy concerns), the figure will exceed 100bn Euros,” noted Gregor Spitzen.
An independent German journalist also added, “This situation has exposed all the realities of modern European capitalism. It seems that there is a market and companies are free to make their own decisions, but there was a shout from a single centre and everyone left the most profitable market in Europe. At one time, the Soviet Union was accused of not having true democracy and a true market. In fact, all this is now being implemented in the current European Union.”
