Kremlin economic adviser offers cooperation to AfD ahead of Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania vote

Kirill Dmitriev, a senior Kremlin economic adviser and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, publicly offered economic cooperation with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) one day before the state election in Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania. ([kanal5.com.mk](https://kanal5.com.mk/germanski-politichar-od-afd-vo-rusija-se-sretna-so-prviot-chovek-na-gasprom-bara-ruski-gas/a755812?utm_source=openai))

Voters in the northeastern German state will go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new regional parliament; opinion polls show a tight race between the AfD and the Social Democrats led by Minister‑President Manuela Schwesig. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/df17e9fec6cb00a347b5b8a9f09bb548?utm_source=openai))

Writing on X, Dmitriev appealed directly to the region’s economic interests: "Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania will blossom again when the cheap and reliable gas from 'Nord Stream' returns through joint work with the AfD. Lower energy bills, more jobs and higher growth," he wrote on X. ([tagesspiegel.de](https://www.tagesspiegel.de/internationales/kremlgesandter-lobt-umfrageergebnis-putin-vertrauter-feiert-afd-als-hoffnung-fur-die-deutschen-15602593.html?icid=topic-list_15603851___&utm_source=openai))

Why the message matters

The intervention is notable because it links a Kremlin official with a German party that German authorities and many observers consider strongly nationalist and, in parts, extremist. Moscow’s calls to resume pipeline supplies have been a recurring theme in outreach to sympathetic European politicians. ([wikipedia.bennettdavid.com](https://wikipedia.bennettdavid.com/content/wikipedia_en_top_maxi_2026-06/Alternative_for_Germany?utm_source=openai))

Dmitriev has frequently acted as Russia’s point person on economic outreach abroad, a role that includes public statements and meetings with European political figures and business leaders. His direct appeal to a German regional electorate underlines how energy and economic arguments are being used in the run‑up to regional contests. ([criticalthreats.org](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/ukraine-invasion-updates-february-2025?utm_source=openai))

Analysts say the message aims to sharpen a domestic debate in Germany over energy prices, supply and sovereignty just as voters decide which party will control the state parliament — and it may complicate Berlin’s broader stance toward Moscow depending on how the election unfolds. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/df17e9fec6cb00a347b5b8a9f09bb548?utm_source=openai))

Photo: DPA)