German imports from Russia fell 95% since war in Ukraine

• German imports from Russia have decreased by 95% since the war in Ukraine started
• General Ingo Gerhartz becomes new commander of NATO's Joint Force Command

This blog, is covering the latest news from Germany on Wednesday, June 11.

06/11/2025June 11, 2025

German general Ingo Gerhartz becomes new commander of NATO's Joint Force Command

From today, German Air Force General Ingo Gerhartz will oversee the operational protection of NATO's eastern flank. The 59-year-old will assume command of the relevant NATO headquarters, the "Allied Joint Force Command," in Brunssum, the Netherlands, from Italian General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta at noon.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, deterring and defending the eastern part of the alliance area has once again become a core task for NATO states.

Recently, warnings that Russia could test NATO's commitment to mutual defense have become more forceful.

One of the three operational NATO headquarters is located in Brunssum. The other two are in Naples and Norfolk, Virginia, and are led by Americans.  Gerhartz was promoted to four-star general before assuming his new position.

06/11/2025June 11, 2025

German imports from Russia have fallen by 95% since war in Ukraine

Last year, Germany imported nearly 94.6% fewer goods from Russia than before the war in Ukraine began. On Wednesday, the Federal Statistical Office, Destatis, reported that goods worth €1.8 billion were imported from Russia in 2024. In 2021, before the EU's 17 sanctions packages against Russia, imports amounted to €33.1 billion.

Exports to Russia also fell significantly, by 71.6%. In 2024, Germany supplied Russia with goods worth €7.6 billion, compared to €26.6 billion in 2021. Russia's share of total imports to Germany fell to just over 0.1% in 2024, compared to 2.8% before the Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Last year, Germany achieved its largest export surplus with Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Exports exceeded imports by €5.8 billion — the fourth time since 1993 that there was an export surplus, after 2023, 2020, and 1993.

In 2022, the year the war began, Germany's foreign trade deficit with Russia reached a record high of €21.8 billion. Since 2021, exports had nearly halved, partly due to sanctions packages, while the value of remaining imports increased, primarily due to sharp energy price hikes.

Until the second half of 2022, Russia was an important energy supplier for Germany. Last year, Germany primarily imported metals, chemicals, food, and animal feed from Russia. Conversely, Germany primarily supplied pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and machinery.

06/11/2025June 11, 2025

Welcome to our Germany coverage

Guten Tag! DW brings you up-to-date information from across Germany, where the latest statistical data shows that the country's trade with Russia has become insignificant.

Last year, Germany imported nearly 95% fewer goods from Russia than before the war in Ukraine began. Exports to Russia also fell significantly, by 71.6%.

Meanwhile, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig continues to hear the case concerning the ban on the right-wing extremist magazine Compact.

We'll have the latest headlines, analyses, multimedia content, and DW's on-the-ground reporting on all things Germany.