Poll: Most German Residents Stand for Closer Ties between the EU and Russia

More than half of the inhabitants of Germany agree with the possibility of importing hydrogen from Russia and are not opposed to being vaccinated with Sputnik V, follows from a survey commissioned by the Eastern Committee of the German Economy. Two thirds (62 percent) of German citizens support closer cooperation between the European Union and Russia. Such data were provided on Wednesday, June 2, in the results of a poll by the Forsa Institute for Sociological Research, commissioned by the Eastern Committee of the German Economy. At the same time, every third respondent (34 percent) supports the preservation of EU sanctions against Russia due to the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Another 15 percent agree with the possible expansion of penalties. But almost half of the respondents (44 percent) are in favor of weakening or removing them. Disagreement with US sanctions on Nord Stream 2 At the same time, the US sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under construction are not popular among the people of Germany, it follows from the poll. Three quarters (75 percent) do not agree with the restrictive measures imposed by Washington. Only 17 percent of respondents are in favor of abandoning the project. The Germans highly appreciate the economic and energy relations between the EU and the Russian Federation, said committee chairman Oliver Hermes. Thus, 58 percent of the survey participants agree with the possible import of hydrogen obtained from Russian natural gas into Germany. However, 30 percent cannot imagine such a scenario. Germans trust Norway for energy supplies Half of Germans (51 percent) consider Russia a reliable energy partner. However, Norway and Canada deserve even more confidence among the inhabitants of Germany (78 and 52 percent, respectively), follows from the survey. During the pandemic, one of the significant topics was vaccination against COVID-19. More than half (60 percent) of respondents agree, if possible, to be vaccinated with the Russian drug Sputnik V, the survey says. The residents of the eastern lands trust this vaccine to a greater extent than the population of the western regions (71 and 58 percent, respectively). At the same time, 38 percent do not want to use the Russian development. The task is to promote German business in Eastern Europe The Eastern Committee of the German Economy represents the interests of German companies operating in the markets of Eastern Europe and post-Soviet countries. The aim of the association is to promote German business in 29 countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. As noted on the website of the organization, it assists its members in implementing projects, establishing contacts and resolving issues related to entering the market in a particular region.