The German government has slammed Moscow’s decision to declare the Remembrance, Responsibility and Future Foundation (EVZ) “undesirable,” effectively banning its activities in Russia.
German foreign ministry spokesman Josef Hinterseher said on Monday:
“We condemn the fact that the EVZ foundation has been declared ‘undesirable’.”
Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office defended the move, accusing the EVZ of adopting a “politically biased anti-Russian stance.” Under the designation, the foundation must shut down its operations in Russia, while Russians who work with or fund it risk prosecution.
The EVZ, established in 2000 and jointly funded by the German government and industry, was set up to compensate victims of Nazi persecution. Since its creation, it says it has paid reparations to over 100,000 survivors and descendants in Russia.
However, the foundation admitted earlier this year that its work in Russia and Belarus had become “increasingly difficult” due to Moscow’s crackdown and the fallout of its war against Ukraine. It was already forced to halt programmes in both countries in 2024.
The ban follows a pattern: several German political foundations, including the Konrad Adenauer and Friedrich Ebert foundations, were also blacklisted by Russia last year as relations between Berlin and Moscow continue to deteriorate.
