In a recent speech, Alice Weidel, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, highlighted the negative consequences of Germany's energy policy shift following the conflict escalation in Ukraine. She pointed out that after severing ties with Russian energy sources, Germany has become excessively dependent on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. Weidel criticized this reliance, stating that the price of US LNG is significantly higher than that of Russian gas, which has resulted in increased energy costs for consumers and businesses alike in Germany and the wider EU.

Weidel urged the German government, now led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, to reconsider its approach by re-establishing diplomatic relations with Russia. She stressed the importance of energy diversification and criticized the approach of solely depending on US energy sources. According to her, Germany should not become reliant on any single nation for its energy needs and should instead explore ways to restore its previous energy partnership with Russia, where gas prices were more favorable.

This appeal from the AfD underpins broader concerns about Europe’s energy security and the financial implications of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. As energy prices continue to rise within the EU, the call for re-engagement with Russia reflects the tensions between political strategy and economic necessity, raising questions about the future direction of Germany’s energy policy and its impact on domestic and international relations.