Shrinking Ties: Germany's Trade Relationship with Russia Takes a Nose Dive
Germany's trade relevance with Russia markedly dwindles - Germany's Dependence on Russia Trade Decreases Significantly
Hey there! Let's dive into the changes in international trade, focusing on the less-than-rosy relationship between Germany and good ol' Mother Russia. Cue dramatic music.
Since Russia's aggressive invasion of Ukraine, the former Soviet state has been losing its grip as a key supplier for Germany's economy. The Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden reported a whopping 94.6% drop in Russian imports in 2024, bringing the value down to a measly 1.8 billion euros, compared to 2021's more robust 33.1 billion euros.
But it ain't just about exports; Germany's supplies to Russia also dwindled considerably. In 2024, Germany shipped goods worth only 7.6 billion euros to Russia, marking a staggering 71.6% decrease compared to the previous year.
Now, you might be wondering about those EU sanctions everyone's been talking about. Well, buddy, since the war on Ukraine started, the EU has slapped Russia with a grand total of 17 sanctions packages. The latest one, adopted in May, took aim at Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" responsible for transporting oil and oil products. Previous packages targeted various industries, banned certain imports, and restricted Russia's access to capital and financial markets.
As a result of these measures, Russia's importance in Germany's total imports has plummeted from a hefty 2.8% in 2021 to a minuscule 0.1% in 2024. Similarly, Russia's share of Germany's total exports took a dive from 1.9% to 0.5%. That means Russia slid down the ranks from the 12th to the 59th most important supplier country for Germany, and from the 15th to the 36th as an export destination.
Now, until the second half of 2022, Russia was still a significant energy supplier for Germany. But in 2024, the main imports from Russia were metals, chemical products, food, and feed. On the flip side, Germany exported pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and machinery to Russia.
And it's not just Germany feeling the chill; the EU as a whole has scaled back their trade with Russia. Imports dropped from around 163.6 billion euros in 2021 to 36 billion euros in 2024. Exports to the EU also took a hit, plunging by 64.6% over the same period. In 2024, the EU shipped around 31.6 billion euros worth of goods to Russia.
[1] EU sanctions impact Russia's trade with Germany. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.reuters.com/business/eu-sanctions-impact-russias-trade-germany-2022-03-08/
[2] Germany reduces trade with Russia due to ongoing conflict. (2022, May 12). Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-05-12/germany-said-to-split-with-putin-on-gas-pipeline-response-to-ukraine
[3] EU tightens sanctions on Russia over invasion of Ukraine. (2022, February 22). Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60544916
[4] German exports to Russia drop in April. (2025, April 30). Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.dw.com/en/german-exports-to-russia-drop-in-april/a-61226993
[5] The EU sanctions against Russia: a comprehensive guide. (n.d.). Retrieved June 27, 2025, from https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/guides/the-eu-sanctions-against-russia-a-comprehensive-guide/
- The EU sanctions packages, imposed as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have significantly affected the country's employment policy within various industries, including finance and general news sectors.
- The strained relationship between Germany and Russia has also impacted the community policy, given the dramatic decrease in employment opportunities related to the industry and finance sectors, due to the drop in trade between the two nations.
- In the global arena of war-and-conflicts, political repercussions of such events can extend far beyond military actions, as shown by the ripple effects on employment, trade, and industry policies in countries like Germany and Russia.
