Polish ECR MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk has asked the European Commission whether it considers the participation of German companies and individuals at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) compatible with EU sanctions and security strategy, and whether it will propose individual sanctions against them. The question, submitted on 10 June 2026, targets a list of prominent German business figures and cultural personalities whose attendance at the 3–6 June forum was confirmed by German media, including Stefan Dürr (EkoNiva), Thomas Bruch (Globus Holding), Holger Friedrich (Berliner Zeitung publisher), conductor Justus Frantz, journalist Hubert Seipel, and representatives of the German-Russian Chamber of Commerce. Mularczyk argues that SPIEF is a Kremlin propaganda event and that German participation undermines the spirit of EU sanctions against Russia. He notes that around 1,600 German firms still operate in Russia, generating €20 billion in annual turnover, and that the Chamber of Commerce aims to protect over €100 billion in German assets by maintaining an 'economic bridge'. The question contains three concrete asks: whether the Commission is aware of the participation, whether it deems it compatible with EU sanctions, and whether it will propose individual sanctions against the named persons and additional restrictions on companies attending Russian economic forums. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will signal whether it views business engagement with Russia as a sanctions violation or a legitimate economic interest. The issue pits EU sanctions enforcement against German commercial interests, with potential major impact on German firms still active in Russia and on the coherence of EU foreign policy.