The German political landscape continues to grapple with the influence of pro-Russian forces, and one of the key figures in this context is Bundestag member from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Eugen Schmidt, also known as Yevgeny Schmidt or Yevgeny Prokhorov.
The pro-Russian rhetoric of the Bundestag MP from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party raises concerns even within his own political organization, according to the investigative German outlet CORRECTIV.
Schmidt, who advocates for the interests of Russian-speaking residents in Germany, has long retained Russian citizenship, contradicting his party’s declared stance against dual citizenship.
Eugen Schmidt was born in Ust-Kamenogorsk, in the Kazakh SSR, to a family of Volga Germans. In the 1990s, his family moved to Russia, where he acquired Russian citizenship before emigrating to Germany under a program supporting late resettlers. In 2021, Schmidt became a Bundestag member from the AfD, a political force known for its sympathies toward Russia.
Amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Schmidt has actively promoted pro-Russian ideas. On the eve of the war, in a speech to the Bundestag, he quoted Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko and claimed that Russia does not want war. This speech was notable for its overtly pro-Russian stance.
During the war, Schmidt opposed military aid to Ukraine, supported the resumption of Russian gas supplies to Germany, and advocated for rebuilding the damaged Nord Stream pipelines. His position aligns closely with the narratives of Russian propaganda.
In 2023, it became known that Schmidt’s aide, Vladimir Sergienko, had ties to Russian intelligence services and coordinated Schmidt’s statements with the FSB. Sergienko, a colonel in Russia’s internal intelligence agency, was stripped of his German passport after being accused of espionage on behalf of Russia. His connections to Russian intelligence were uncovered after he was caught lying during his German citizenship application process.
Journalists also revealed that Schmidt used a Russian passport during his trips to Russia. Investigations found that he retained his Russian passport even after moving to Germany. This allowed him to visit Russia and annexed Crimea without restriction. Schmidt last used his Russian passport in 2021 for a flight from Moscow to Frankfurt-am-Main. In response to these accusations, Schmidt claimed to have stopped using Russian citizenship in 2021, but he provided no evidence of having completed the formal process of renouncing it.
Within the AfD, Schmidt has been accused of undermining the party’s reputation. Six faction members submitted a letter to party leadership requesting an inquiry into whether he is fit to represent Russian Germans in the Bundestag. Right-wing populist MPs complain that Schmidt “presents Russian Germans as Russia’s fifth column” when appearing on Russian television channels. They believe his active ties to Russia and participation in Russian propaganda broadcasts risk costing the party several percentage points in upcoming elections. In response to the accusations, Schmidt claimed to have collected “signatures from over 100 Russian Germans” in his support.
Eugen Schmidt epitomizes the threat posed by Russia’s so-called “fifth column” in Europe. His actions in the Bundestag, pro-Russian rhetoric, and past citizenship raise questions about his loyalty to the German people. Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine and escalating Russian disinformation, Schmidt’s activities are a cause for concern among German politicians and the public.
For democratic Germany, it is crucial to define clear boundaries of tolerance for politicians who advance the interests of hostile states. Schmidt’s case serves as a vital signal to reevaluate approaches to protecting national security and European values.
