Politics and Russian Speakers in Germany

Germany is home to millions of people who speak and think in Russian, yet there is no single, unified diaspora. Instead, the Russian-speaking communities in Germany is made up of diverse generations, backgrounds, and political views. The ongoing wars in and around Europe, combined with Germany’s current period of profound transformation, have sparked a renewed interest among many in these groups. More and more are eager to engage with German politics, offering critiques and seeking to understand it better, all while stepping outside of their filter bubbles.

Alex Yusupov, head of the Russia program at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, is well-known to many in the Russian-speaking space of Germany. From his appearances on talk shows to his popular Telegram channel, where thousands engage in lively discussions on controversial topics, he offers a first-hand perspective on how politics is understood and debated in this sphere.

What do Russian-speaking community in Germany think about current political issues Which topics provoke the strongest emotions? What hopes and fears shape these conversations?

We’ll explore key political issues and examine them from the perspective of a political scientist and public expert who interprets German politics for a Russian-speaking audience.

Who would find this event interesting?

On the one hand, it is aimed at citizens and migrants from the former Soviet Union.

Additionally, all other migrants with an interest in current political processes are welcome, with English serving as a common language for communication.

Finally, it might be intriguing for many German citizens who either work in the sphere of civic education or politics or who have Russian-speaking colleagues or friends, or personal connections to the countries of the former Soviet Union. This event provides a rare opportunity to explore which topics are relevant to fellow citizens and migrants from different cultural backgrounds.

The event will be held in English.