ESN MEP Markus Buchheit commented:
“The European Union has become a prisoner of its own sanctions strategy. It is not bringing more peace and security; instead it is harming our own citizens and businesses most of all. Rather than forcing Russia to its economic knees, we are seeing falling exports, production losses and rising prices—especially for fertilizers and food. The Commission itself warns of consequences for food security, yet this misguided policy continues. We finally need the courage to abandon this wrong path and choose diplomacy over economic self-harm.”
Given the growing economic imbalance, the AfD delegation is calling for a change of course in the EU’s Russia policy. Instead of further tariffs and sanctions—whose main burden is borne by European businesses and consumers—the Union must pursue dialogue and political solutions.