Russian outlets have highlighted tensions within Germany’s far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) regarding relations with Moscow. The conflict between co-chairs Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla has drawn attention in Russia, where observers fear that internal disagreements could weaken the party’s pro-Russian stance. Bild reported that the rift centers on a planned visit by AfD parliamentarians to Russia for the BRICS–Europe symposium in Sochi on November 14–15, 2025.
Disagreement over parliamentary visit to Sochi
Weidel publicly questioned the purpose of the trip, stating that she did not understand why party members should go to Russia. Chrupalla, in contrast, defended the delegation on the Markus Lanz program, emphasizing the need for dialogue with Russia and dismissing nuclear threats from Moscow. The planned participation of AfD Bundestag and European Parliament deputies is seen as a political signal that could serve Russian propaganda purposes. German officials, including CSU Secretary General Martin Huber, criticized the trip as an act of betrayal, accusing AfD lawmakers of undermining national interests by engaging with the Kremlin.
AfD’s pro-Russian orientation and security concerns
AfD has repeatedly expressed sympathy for Russia, including calls to lift sanctions, recognize Crimea as Russian territory, and criticize arms supplies to Ukraine. Such positions have fueled concerns about possible Russian influence amid broader hybrid warfare targeting Germany and Europe. The party has also faced scrutiny for parliamentary inquiries into sensitive infrastructure, with Thuringia’s Interior Minister Georg Maier accusing AfD of exploiting these mechanisms for potential Russian benefit. Federal authorities have classified regional AfD branches as extremist, and in 2024 the entire party was officially designated as a “right-wing extremist organization under observation,” limiting its coalition prospects and reinforcing political isolation.
Implications for AfD and Kremlin influence
Weidel’s opposition to the Sochi trip appears aimed at minimizing reputational and security risks, rather than signaling a full break with pro-Russian views. Russian media closely monitor these internal dynamics, as AfD remains one of the Kremlin’s few European political allies. Moscow fears that the leadership dispute could push the party toward a more moderate conservative position, potentially weakening Russia’s influence within Germany’s ultra-right political sphere.
