CDU and Greens slam AfD plans to discuss Russian gas with Putin advisor
Representatives of Germany's ruling Christian Democratic Union and the opposition Greens sharply criticized reports that the leadership of the Alternative for Germany party plans to discuss with a Kremlin representative the possible resumption of Russian gas supplies to the country.
According to n-tv citing Reuters, AfD co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are preparing a meeting with Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, who is also Vladimir Putin's special envoy for economic cooperation. Negotiations could take place in the spring of 2027. Israel, the United Arab Emirates and India have been mentioned among possible venues.
It is assumed that one of the central topics of the meeting will be the possibility of resuming Russian gas supplies to Germany. Representatives of the AfD and Dmitriev declined to comment on this information. The party itself, however, does not have the authority to conclude agreements on gas imports, as external energy policy falls within the purview of the German federal government.
CDU and Greens speak of 'betrayal'
Greens Bundestag lawmaker Michael Kellner said Germany should not become energy-dependent on Russia again. According to him, the consequences of the previous energy crisis cost roughly 50 billion euros.
Kellner called a possible return to former dependence a 'betrayal' and said that, in his view, Putin uses the AfD for his own interests. This is an assessment by the politician, not an established fact.
Similar criticism was voiced by CDU Bundestag lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter. He said Russia uses energy and in particular the Nord Stream gas pipelines as instruments of political pressure. He called a possible resumption of Nord Stream a threat to European security and a risk of international isolation for Germany.
AfD advocates return of Russian gas
AfD representatives have repeatedly called for a resumption of energy cooperation with Russia after the end of the war in Ukraine. In particular, on September 16, the party’s candidate for the elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Leif-Erik Holm, stated in televised debates that a restored relationship with Moscow should allow AfD to again use gas supplied through Nord Stream.
However, during fact-checking Tagesschau noted that under current EU regulation, a restart of such supplies is currently legally impossible. Germany has not imported Russian gas directly since 2022. The AfD’s assertion that Russian gas would automatically be much cheaper than alternatives also cannot be verified in advance.
Germany's federal government currently opposes a resumption of direct Russian gas supplies due to Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine. Even possible talks between AfD representatives and Dmitriev, therefore, cannot by themselves change the country's energy policy.
Based on materials from: n-tv — on the planned meeting, n-tv — reaction of CDU and Greens, Tagesschau
