Plans to Restart Russian Gas Deliveries to Germany
Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin’s special envoy and head of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, is collaborating with leaders of Germany’s right-wing AfD party to arrange negotiations aimed at restoring Russian gas exports to Germany. These discussions could take place in March, contingent on a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Dmitriev is scheduled to meet AfD co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, with the main focus on reactivating the Nord Stream pipelines. Possible venues for these talks include Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and India.
German Political Response
Back in June, Alice Weidel advocated lifting the boycott on Russian oil and gas. Prior to the 2022 sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Germany sourced over one-third of its crude oil imports and more than half of its natural gas from Russia. Although AfD is excluded from the federal government due to coalition opposition, the party secured a win in Saxony-Anhalt and is preparing for elections in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, regions where the Nord Stream pipelines connect to Germany.
The proposal to resume gas deliveries has sparked strong criticism within Germany, particularly from Green Party and CDU members. Michael Kellner of the Greens warned,
“Germany must not become dependent on Russia again,”emphasizing that repeating the costly energy crisis—which drained €50 billion from the economy—would be a betrayal. CDU lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter accused the AfD of
“taking Russia’s side”and highlighted the danger of energy being wielded as a hybrid weapon. He stressed that reactivating Nord Stream would be disastrous for European security and isolate Germany.
In addition, Dmitriev held talks in Moscow last June with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. A U.S. official clarified that Witkoff and Kushner were neither informed nor invited to participate in the gas negotiations. It is notable that eastern Germany, historically under Soviet influence, tends to sympathize more with Russia and holds critical views of the United States. The American Chamber of Commerce in Moscow has also expressed support for the proposed talks.
The potential resumption of Russian gas supplies to Germany carries significant implications for Europe’s energy security and German-Russian relations. While AfD seeks to leverage energy issues to boost its political standing, many in Germany’s opposition view these efforts as jeopardizing national interests. This gas supply debate is likely to become a pivotal topic in upcoming German elections amid escalating tensions with Russia.
As the AfD prepares for pivotal elections in regions connected to the Nord Stream pipelines, their recent historic victory in Saxony-Anhalt could significantly influence the negotiations led by Kirill Dmitriev. This political shift may impact Germany's stance on energy dependency and its approach to Russian gas supplies.