Russian envoy and AfD leadership plan March talks on resuming gas supplies to Germany

Preparations for bilateral talks

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the state-run Russian Direct Investment Fund and a key economic envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has initiated preparations for a formal meeting with the leadership of the Alternative for Germany (AfD). According to two sources familiar with the planning, the primary objective of the discussions is to evaluate the potential resumption of Russian natural gas shipments to Europe's largest economy. The bilateral summit is planned to bring together Dmitriev alongside AfD co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. Official spokespersons for both Dmitriev and the AfD declined to comment on the matter. Although a coalition of rival political parties continues to exclude the AfD from government power, the party remains the most popular in voter polling following a state election victory in Saxony-Anhalt.

Conditions and proposed international participants

The proposed gathering is planned for March 2027 and is strictly conditional upon Russia and Ukraine first concluding an agreed peace framework. Organizers are currently reviewing neutral international locations to host the summit, with Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and India identified as potential host countries. In addition to Russian and German party delegations, the organizers hope to establish a wider tripartite discussion involving representatives from the United States. These talks would examine the potential reopening of the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline network. Dmitriev met in Moscow earlier in September 2026 with American representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, though a senior US official stated that neither Witkoff nor Kushner has received notification or an invitation to the proposed summit.

Germany's energy dependencies and AfD strategy

Prior to the imposition of sanctions following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia supplied more than half of Germany's natural gas imports and more than one-third of its crude oil imports. AfD party leadership has consistently opposed the subsequent energy embargo, characterizing cheap Russian energy supplies as the core secret of German economic success. During an interview in June 2026, Weidel advocated for lifting the boycott on Russian crude oil and natural gas, stating that renewed fuel supplies would provide vital support to Germany's weakened economy. Because the AfD holds no federal executive authority, any understanding reached at the proposed meeting would carry primarily symbolic weight. The preparations nonetheless reflect active dialogue between Moscow and German opposition figures as the party seeks to broaden its appeal among voters.

Domestic backlash and geopolitical concerns

The prospect of direct talks between Russian representatives and the AfD has provoked strong opposition across Germany's political establishment. Michael Kellner of the Green Party described the initiative as betrayal, asserting that Putin is utilizing the party for Russian aims while risking a recurrence of an energy crisis that previously cost the country 50 billion euros. Roderich Kiesewetter of the Christian Democratic Union stated that restarting the Nord Stream pipeline system would harm European security by transforming energy supply into a hybrid weapon. In contrast, the American Chamber of Commerce in Moscow welcomed the concept of talks as a positive and timely step toward broadening economic platforms. The controversy develops as the AfD prepares for another regional election on Sunday.