As Russian troops were surrounding Ukraine and representatives of Moscow and Kyiv negotiated in Paris, Italy’s business leaders held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on January 26. The “symbolic significance could not be overlooked,” Germany’s faz.net noted. “While the [European Union] and [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] continued to threaten the most severe sanctions in the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, the heavyweights of Italian business talked with Putin about ‘further deepening cooperation,’ according to reports from Moscow before the meeting” (Trumpet translation throughout). The meeting was organized by the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce in Milan and the Italian-Russian Business Committee.

In 2014, after Russia invaded Crimea, Italy’s industry leaders prevented significant sanctions against Russia. “At the time,” Politico noted, “diplomats complained that Italy’s top corporations were pressuring the government in Rome to go soft on Moscow because of their big investments in Russia.” More evidence has emerged that Italy’s industries are calling the shots in Rome.

Most recently, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s government urged the industrialists to call off the January 26 meeting. “Despite the Italian government’s protests, the meeting went ahead on Wednesday, with some state-controlled Italian companies such as energy giant Enel choosing to still attend,” Politico noted. “Others, including energy firms Eni and Snam, bowed out.” Italy’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that the meeting was a “private initiative” and that state institutions had nothing to do with it.

Italy was Russia’s fifth-most important trading partner in 2020. In light of sanctions, Italy’s partnership will become even more critical. According to the Kremlin, the recent talks focused on deepening cooperation in energy and industry, the financial sector and environmental technology.

In a January 17 statement, Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce President Vincenzo Trani warned against anti-Russian sentiment and noted: “For us it is crucial the economic-business dialogue between Italy and Russia be stimulated.”

Putin assured the business leaders that he considered “Italy as one of the leading economic partners.” He also noted that Rome has been benefiting from low prices of Russian gas. Such a reminder could almost be read as a threat when one considers how quickly Putin could increase those prices. Putin knows that Italy depends on Russian gas.

But the industrialists likely won’t have to fear repercussions. Faz.net wrote:

Although the government in Rome officially distanced itself from the business meeting with Putin, Italy is pursuing an independent “Ostpolitik” toward Russia. Prime Minister Draghi said in a January 15 speech to Parliament that Putin’s troop buildup did not indicate an imminent invasion of Ukraine but testified to Russia’s desire to be “part of the will-building process.” That Putin continues to keep channels of talks open clearly shows that Moscow wants to “explore the possibilities of diplomacy to reach a balanced solution,” Draghi said. Draghi has spoken to Putin on the phone repeatedly since taking office in February 2021, on four occasions since August alone.

The good relations between Rome and Moscow go way back to the Cold War era.

Politicians come and go, but companies control politics for many decades. In his recent cover story, Trumpet editor in Chief Gerald Flurry explained the power of another country’s industry and its relations with Russia. He wrote:

In any wealthy country, big business has a lot of power. Just look at the role Facebook and social media have in America’s news coverage and even the U.S. election. A key reason America doesn’t do more to stand up to China is because so many American businessmen are getting rich through deals with China.

When big business has this level of influence, it is concerning, no matter which country it’s in. But in Germany, there is an additional, critical cause for concern.

Mr. Flurry explained that German industrialists have schemed since the end of World War ii to rise to power and lead Germany in the direction they want. Germany is home to Europe’s most powerful and well-connected industries. The strength of German industry forces many into lockstep with German policies. What used to be German politics is increasingly becoming European politics.

For example, a recent debate in the EU centers around Europe’s energy future. The EU will have to decide what energy sources are considered “green” and which are not. Germany, for its part, seeks to get the green label stamped on gas and opposes the idea that nuclear energy could be considered a sustainable energy source. This caused Germany’s Welt to headline: “Germany Forces Whole Europe to Pact With Russia.”

Whether this latest attempt is successful or not, Germany has already decided that Europe will be dependent on Russian gas by agreeing to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Cheap Russian gas will make it very difficult for other European nations to find alternatives.

In World War ii, German industrialists hoped to use Adolf Hitler to expand their influence over Europe. After the war, they got want they wanted.

Revelation 17 prophesies of a resurrected German empire that will control 10 nations in a powerful way. In “Rising From the German Underground,” Mr. Flurry wrote:

Here is how this prophecy describes this coming European power: “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings [10 European leaders], which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (verses 12-13). We can expect 10 strong leaders to arise in Europe—surely some of them are already in power—and come together to strengthen a European superpower led by Germany.

The next chapter reveals that businessmen and industrialists, referred to in prophecy as “the merchants of the earth,” will throw their weight behind this political-religious power. And once again, their investment will appear to pay off in a spectacular way. Revelation 18:3 foretells that these merchants “are waxed rich” thanks to this new Babylonish empire.

We are seeing this empire take shape and work toward a common cause, as evidenced in the recent Ukraine crisis. I encourage you to read Mr. Flurry’s article and request our free booklet Who or What Is the Prophetic Beast? for a full prophetic understanding of the current situation.