Putin Confidant Kirill Dmitriev Labels AfD 'Hope for the Germans'

Kirill Dmitriev, a close confidant of Vladimir Putin and Russia’s envoy for foreign economic relations, has publicly praised the German far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). Following survey results showing the AfD leading with 36% of the vote in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Dmitriev declared on the social media platform X that the party represents “hope for the Germans.” This marks another instance of Russian support for the AfD; last October, Dmitriev commended the party for its stance against “uncontrolled immigration, lies and censorship.” The endorsement comes ahead of state elections scheduled for September in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, and Berlin. While the AfD currently polls as the strongest political force in the two eastern states, it lacks viable coalition partners. Dmitriev, who also serves as a key negotiator in the Ukraine conflict, has historically focused on improving relations with the US under Donald Trump while maintaining a critical posture toward European governments and Kiev. The article highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the intersection of Russian influence operations with domestic German politics.