Portrait of Alice Weidel
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Alice Weidel on Russia

Pragmatic engagement advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Alice Weidel advocates for an interest-driven foreign policy emphasizing the reinstatement of Russian gas to protect Germany's economy.

Key Points

  • She claimed in October 2022 that the main loser of the conflict was Germany, which was being targeted by an “economic war.”

  • She urged the government to prioritize reinstating the supply of Russian natural gas to safeguard Germany’s economy.

  • She reportedly denounced plans by some AfD colleagues to travel to Sochi in November 2024, stating she would not travel there or recommend it.

Summary

Alice Weidel, as a leading figure in the Alternative for Germany (AfD), generally pushes for a foreign policy centered on German national interests, which has translated into a pragmatic, if sometimes conflicted, stance toward Russia. She has stated that peace in Europe is only achievable through engagement with Russia and has argued that Germany’s sanctions policy against Russia has damaged the German economy, proclaiming that the conflict’s main loser is Germany, which she sees as the victim of an “economic war.”

Her position, particularly since the invasion of Ukraine, has involved calling for an end to German interference and rejecting maximalist demands on Ukraine, while also asserting that what happens to Ukrainian territory is “not our issue at all.” Despite this framing, she has distinguished herself from some within her party by refusing to attend a Russian embassy reception celebrating the victory over Nazi Germany, citing a personal decision based partly on her father's wartime escape story, indicating a nuanced approach that balances perceived national economic needs against historical sensitivities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Alice Weidel's core stance advocates for an interest-driven foreign policy that prioritizes Germany’s economic well-being, which strongly suggests a desire to re-establish energy relations with Russia. She has argued that peace in Europe is only possible through engagement with Moscow. However, she has also publicly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine as contrary to international law.

Her position has remained relatively consistent in emphasizing that Germany is the 'main loser' due to sanctions and advocating for a return to Russian gas supply. While the party initially took a more nuanced stance after February 2022, Weidel reverted to her hard-line focus on German economic security by the autumn of that year. She also demonstrated personal distance from certain pro-Russian gestures by her party colleagues.

She expressed that the ultimate division of territory resulting from the conflict in Ukraine “is not our issue at all,” indicating a lack of German commitment to Ukraine's maximalist territorial demands. She also rejected putting President Vladimir Putin before a war crimes tribunal as “completely unrealistic.”