Stefan Dürr

Founder and Member of the Management Board (CEO); President of the EkoNiva Group, Ekosem-agrar

Search every verified Stefan Dürr interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Stefan Dürr, the German-born founder and CEO of the EkoNiva Group, has been publicly discussing his role in Russian agricultural policy and his relationship with President Vladimir Putin. In a 2015 interview, Dürr stated that he advised Putin to impose sanctions on Europe, saying, "It cannot be that only one side is punished for something that at least we in Russia cannot understand." He described his influence on Putin as "probably in the promille range." Dürr also expressed concern about the deterioration of German-Russian relations, comparing himself to a child whose parents are divorcing and noting that "what has been built up over 20 years will be destroyed in a few months." In a 2017 documentary, Dürr characterized the Russian business environment as "ice hockey" compared to the "football" style of German business, emphasizing the need to be "fast and robust" while following fixed rules. He acknowledged that Western sanctions against Russia had provided a short-term advantage for his dairy operations by reducing European imports, but warned that countries like Brazil and Argentina would fill the gap once sanctions were lifted. Dürr also reflected on surviving the 2008-2009 financial crisis, when his company faced high interest rates and unsold machinery, noting that his dairy operations ultimately saved the business.