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For German Firms, Ties to Russia Are Personal, Not Just Financial



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BERLIN — When Peter Fenkl heard that Russia had invaded Ukraine, he said his first thoughts were not for the business his German company stood to lose in either country, but for the fates of his employees in the region, who over years of business dealings and shared drinks had become more than just colleagues.“These are more than just business relationships, they are real friendships,” said Mr. Fenkl, the chief executive of the company, a maker of industrial fans. “We have sat next to each other in meetings, had beers together.”The family-owned company, Ziehl-Abegg, has 4,300 employees, and Mr. Fenkl recalled how the teams from Germany, Russia and Ukraine worked side-by-side, on business trips a …

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