Kremlin Welcomes Germany’s AfD Call for Russia Dialogue, Cites Rising Political Pressure
Kremlin Response to AfD and German Political Dynamics
AfD’s Electoral Success and Political Implications
MOSCOW, Sept 22 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Tuesday it welcomed the fact that Germany's far-right AfD party wants dialogue with Moscow, contrasting that with what it called the confrontational stance of Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The anti-immigration Alternative for Germany took first place in a state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania on Sunday, building on its victory in Saxony-Anhalt state two weeks earlier and intensifying political pressure on Merz.
Preparations for Russia-Germany Dialogue
Reuters reported last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin's top economic envoy and the AfD leadership had begun preparations to meet next year to discuss restarting gas supplies from Russia to Germany.
Kremlin’s Official Statement
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters he had no information about reported attempts by the AfD to establish contact with Moscow.
"However, as a political force in Germany - one that is currently popular, showing a steady upward trend and talking about the expediency of establishing relations with our country - this can't fail to appeal to us," he said.
Contrasting Approaches: AfD vs. Chancellor Merz
Peskov said Merz, on the other hand, had made only confrontational remarks about Russia.
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Gleb Stolyarov; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
