AfD politicians in Russia: Politicians warn of espionage risks due to AfD's Russia trip

German politicians from the CDU, SPD, and Greens have voiced strong criticism regarding the participation of Alternative for Germany (AfD) politicians in an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Security policy experts have labeled the trip a significant security risk, warning that Russian intelligence services actively use such events for information gathering and potential recruitment.

Marc Henrichmann, chairman of the Bundestag's intelligence committee and a CDU member, told Handelsblatt that these trips are "highly risky from a security policy perspective." He accused the AfD delegation of allowing themselves to be "feted by Vladimir Putin's apparatus" in St. Petersburg, characterizing the engagement not as peace diplomacy but as a "political kowtow to a war criminal."

The AfD delegation includes Bundestag members Markus Frohnmaier and Steffen Kotré. Frohnmaier, the AfD's foreign policy spokesperson, rejected the criticism, asserting that his role as a foreign policy representative involves "keeping communication channels open under difficult conditions and representing German interests." He stated the trip had the approval of the AfD parliamentary group leadership.

A spokesperson for the AfD parliamentary group defended the decision, explaining that given the tense international situation, the party believes it is "sensible to maintain contacts with all sides and keep communication channels open to remain in exchange with relevant actors from business and politics." The forum, known as SPIEF, is taking place from June 3 to 6. German corporate representatives are officially attending the forum for the first time since 2022, when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an event that had previously led to a boycott by German political figures.