AfD Leaders Urge Merz to Open Direct Talks with Russia on Peace and Gas

BERLIN (AP) — Co-chairs of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Tino Chrupalla and Alice Weidel, called on opposition leader Friedrich Merz on Sunday to initiate direct negotiations with Moscow regarding a peace settlement in Ukraine and the potential resumption of Russian gas supplies. The demand marks a significant escalation in the party's diplomatic stance as Germany faces renewed energy and security debates in late 2026.

In a joint statement released from Berlin, Chrupalla and Weidel argued that the German public prioritizes a policy centered on peace and active diplomacy over continued confrontation. They asserted that the current trajectory of the conflict requires immediate engagement with both Washington and Moscow to de-escalate tensions. The AfD leaders specifically urged Merz, who leads the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), to utilize his political standing to open formal negotiation channels with Russian officials.

The proposal includes a two-pronged approach: seeking a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine while simultaneously exploring the logistical and political feasibility of restarting natural gas imports from Russia. The AfD contends that restoring energy flows is critical for Germany's economic stability and that maintaining dialogue with Moscow is the only viable path toward ending hostilities. Weidel stated that citizens are increasingly demanding a shift away from what they describe as an unyielding policy of containment.

Merz has not yet issued a formal response to the specific call for direct talks with Russia, though his party has historically maintained a firm stance on European security architecture and sanctions compliance. The CDU leadership continues to emphasize the importance of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty while managing energy diversification strategies that have reduced reliance on Russian resources since 2022. The divergence in approach highlights deepening fractures within Germany's political landscape regarding foreign policy direction.

The timing of the AfD's intervention comes as European leaders assess the long-term implications of the ongoing conflict and the sustainability of current energy markets. Chrupalla noted that the party intends to push for a parliamentary debate on the matter, framing the issue as a question of national interest rather than partisan alignment. They argue that delaying negotiations risks prolonging the humanitarian crisis and economic strain on German households.

As the debate unfolds, it remains unclear whether Merz or other mainstream parties will engage with the AfD's proposal to reopen direct lines of communication with the Kremlin. The feasibility of such talks depends heavily on the positions held by the United States and European Union partners, who have coordinated closely on sanctions and diplomatic strategy throughout the conflict. Questions persist regarding how a resumption of gas supplies would be reconciled with ongoing international commitments to isolate Russia economically.

The situation remains fluid as political leaders in Berlin prepare for upcoming legislative sessions where energy security and foreign policy will likely dominate the agenda. Whether the call for negotiation gains traction or is dismissed as politically untenable will depend on the evolving dynamics of the war and the shifting priorities of the German electorate.