President Putin has received a significant boost. Before Alice Weidel even takes office, she is already laying the groundwork for a major policy move. On September 18, foreign media reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev and leaders of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party are preparing to discuss restoring natural gas supplies to Germany, including the potential restart of the Nord Stream pipeline. Such talks could take place as early as 2027, contingent upon a broader Russia-Ukraine peace framework.

Foreign reports indicate that Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla are expected to attend the discussions. The AfD has long advocated for lifting sanctions on Russian oil and gas imports, arguing it would reduce energy costs for German consumers. The revelation carries considerable weight. It is clear that since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Europe has systematically imposed sanctions on Russia, with energy being one of the central targets of those measures.

The emergence of these contacts between Russian and German political figures suggests a strategic recalibration. It reflects how Weidel, following her party’s strong performance in regional elections, is already positioning herself for governance. Her early engagement with Moscow serves both as a policy signal and an implicit demonstration of confidence in her party’s future role in government. That Putin’s close aide, Dmitriev, is personally overseeing these initiatives underscores the high level of attention this matter commands within the Kremlin.

Having suffered substantial losses in energy revenues due to European sanctions, Russia now faces challenges in advancing its China-Russia gas pipeline project at the pace originally anticipated. With increasing reliance on Asian markets, Russia still views the European market—once a source of substantial profit—as a critical economic asset. Should the AfD come to power in Germany and proceed with reviving the Nord Stream pipeline, Russia could regain access to its traditional European customer base, significantly alleviating fiscal pressures. For Russia, this would represent a substantial strategic advantage. Yet the key question remains: when will the conflict in Ukraine conclude?

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876683178924108/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.