Allegations that AfD is preparing to meet with Moscow for Russian gas

It has been alleged that the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has risen to become the leading party in Germany according to polls, is preparing to establish contact with Moscow to restart the supply of natural gas from Russia.

According to a report by Reuters citing two sources, the AfD leadership is planning to meet with Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

It was stated that AfD co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are expected to attend the meeting, which is targeted for March. While the location of the meeting has not yet been finalized, it was reported that Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and India are among the options.

According to the allegations, the agenda of the meeting also includes the reactivation of the Nord Stream natural gas pipelines extending from Russia to Germany. An AfD spokesperson and a representative for Dmitriev did not comment on the preparations for the meeting.

CONDITION FOR THE MEETING: RUSSIA-UKRAINE AGREEMENT

One of the sources speaking to the news outlet said that the potential meeting could only take place if Russia and Ukraine reach an agreement on a framework for peace. The same source stated that the organizers hope the meeting will bring together the AfD, Russia, and the US.

It was noted that the organizers also wanted US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner to attend the meeting. However, a senior US official said that Witkoff and Kushner were not informed of such a meeting and had not received an invitation.

The AfD advocates for cutting off military and financial support provided to Ukraine, normalizing relations with Russia, and resuming Russian gas supplies to revitalize the German economy. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the US and the European Union imposed sanctions on Moscow.

Before the war, Russia supplied more than a third of Germany's crude oil imports and more than half of its natural gas imports. For this reason, the debate over the Nord Stream pipelines and a return to Russian gas is being addressed alongside issues of energy security and foreign policy in Germany.

REACTION IN GERMAN POLITICS

Since the AfD is not in power, it is stated that such a meeting might have a symbolic meaning rather than carrying decision-making power. However, bringing Russian gas back onto the agenda is seen as a step that could face harsh opposition in Germany and Eastern European countries.

Green Party MP Michael Kellner reacted to the potential initiative by saying, "Germany cannot become dependent on Russia again." Arguing that Germany paid a heavy price due to its past energy dependence, Kellner stated, "This would be a betrayal. Putin is using the AfD for his own purposes."

Roderich Kiesewetter, an MP from the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU), also accused the AfD of standing with Russia. Kiesewetter said, "The AfD is on Russia's side and is ready to betray both Ukraine and Germany."

Kiesewetter argued that the reopening of Nord Stream would have dire consequences for European security, stating, "Russia uses Nord Stream specifically as a hybrid weapon for military purposes. Reopening Nord Stream would be a disaster for European security and would isolate Germany."

The AfD's recently rising poll numbers have also reopened the debate in Germany regarding the policy of mainstream parties to keep their distance from the far right. The party finished well ahead in the elections held in Saxony-Anhalt on September 6. The AfD is also expected to achieve strong results in the elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, where the land terminal for the Nord Stream pipelines is located.

News Source: 12punto