Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs A co-chair of Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which Elon Musk previously endorsed, recently called for the restoration of “good relations” with Russia.Alice Weidel condemned Berlin’s sanctions against Moscow and pushed to restore relations and economic ties with Russia, the German tabloid Bild reported.Newsweek contacted the AfD and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for comment via email.Why It MattersWeidel’s comments suggest that if her party comes to power, there may be a drastic shift in Russia-Germany relations, which could have significant ramifications on the war between Moscow and Kyiv.Prior to the Russia-Ukraine war, Berlin and Moscow had a strong trade relationship. In 2021, goods valuing about 59.8 billion euros were traded between the two countries, according to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, trade between the two countries has declined because of sanctions, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.
Alice Weidel, a co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, in Munich on February 13.
Alice Weidel, a co-chair of the Alternative for Germany party, in Munich on February 13.
Michael Ukas/Associated Press
What To KnowIn an interview with Bild published on Sunday, Weidel spoke about restoring relations with Russia.”We want to have very good relations with our European neighbors,” she said, adding: “But we also want to have very good relations with the major powers. This includes Russia.”She said Germany previously “obtained cheap natural gas from Russia via a consortium called Nord Stream.” Weidel continued: “What we want is to end a policy of sanctions that is, above all, one thing: damaging to our country. We have the highest energy prices in the world. We are no longer competitive.”When asked about Russia’s multiple threats of war against Germany, she reiterated that her party wanted to pursue good relations with Moscow: “What has the German government done against Russia over the last three years? We have turned the spiral of escalation. There has been verbal, financial and even weaponry against Russia. Since the Second World War, German tanks have been rolling against Russia again. Absolutely oblivious to history, if you ask me.”When the interviewer noted that she hadn’t been critical of Russia, Weidel said, “Donald Trump hasn’t either.” She added: “We have to enter into peace negotiations. And I think that’s the only serious policy. And above all, we absolutely have to put an end to a policy of sanctions that is damaging us.”Weidel’s comments are in line with her party’s manifesto, which argues for trade with Russia without disruption, the lifting of sanctions and the reparation of the Nord Stream pipelines. The pipelines, which ran between Russia and Western Europe, exploded in 2023. The party also opposes the delivery of weapons to Ukraine, according to the Associated Press.Weidel, a candidate for German chancellor, has met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Musk. The Tesla CEO vocalized his support for the party when he spoke virtually at a rally last month and urged attendees to move past their guilt regarding the country’s Nazi history.What People Are SayingFilipp Piatov, the deputy head of the politics department at Bild, wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “I have asked AfD leader Alice Weidel several times what she, as a German patriot, thinks about Russia threatening Germans with war. She did not say a single critical word about it.”Luca Klöckener, a member of the German organization Young Liberals, wrote on X: “Alice Weidel is not concerned with German interests. She wants to subjugate Germany to Russia, even though Russia is the enemy.”What Happens NextGermany’s elections are set to take place on February 23, and the AfD appears to be heading for its strongest national election result since its introduction into parliament eight years ago, although it is unlikely to take a share of power.Whether Germany will restore economic relations with Russia depends on the results of the elections.
