Former member of the German Bundestag Ruprecht Polenz still takes a stand on political issues today. Among other things, he has commented critically on Russian intervention in Syria and has pointed out the importance of international awareness in view of the imprisonment of opposition members in Russia. He was a member of the Committee on Foreign Relations since 1994 and has been concerned with issues of foreign and security policy, especially with regard to the Middle East. As president of the German Association for East European Studies, he is equally well acquainted with Russia and Eastern Europe.
