Economic Forum: Putin Signals Openness to Dialogue With the West, Praises the AfD
Putin said he is open to talks with Europe on ending the war in Ukraine, but only through trusted neutral intermediaries. He also praised AfD politicians and said Russian gas deliveries to Germany could resume immediately.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
At the St. Petersburg economic forum, Putin used a meeting with news agencies to present himself as open to dialogue with Europe while criticizing Germany and the EU as non-neutral because of their Ukraine support. He singled out AfD politicians for praise, said Gazprom is ready to supply gas again, and argued existing contracts would allow a restart through Nord Stream.
Putin said Russia would talk, but only through people it trusts. He also praised a German party and said gas to Germany could start again, like turning a valve back on, if the right deals and pipes are available.
Analysis
What Putin said
At the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said he remains willing to talk with Europe about ending the war against Ukraine. He added that any mediator would have to be neutral and trusted. He also said he was surprised by the debate in Germany over Gerhard Schröder as a possible intermediary, describing the former chancellor as a statesman who defends German interests.
Germany, the EU, and Ukraine
Putin used the exchange to accuse Germany and Europe of not being neutral because they supply weapons to Ukraine. That framing is meant to support his broader argument that Russia is still open to dialogue while blaming the West for the deadlock.
Praise for the AfD and gas supply claims
He also praised several AfD politicians attending the forum, saying they could clearly state their positions and were not afraid to fight for them. Putin noted that the party was polling ahead of the governing Union. He said Russia would work with those willing to work with Moscow.
The AfD politicians in St. Petersburg argued for lifting Western sanctions and restarting oil and gas deliveries. Putin said Gazprom was ready and that deliveries could start immediately through the last intact Nord Stream gas line. The article notes that three of the four strands of the Baltic Sea pipelines were heavily damaged in sabotage.
Bottom line
The piece presents a familiar Kremlin message: openness to talks, paired with criticism of Western policy and public praise for German political actors more sympathetic to Moscow's position.
Key points
- Putin said he is open to dialogue with Europe on ending the war in Ukraine.
- He said any mediator must be neutral and trusted, and defended talk of Gerhard Schröder as a possible intermediary.
- He criticized Germany and Europe as not neutral because they support Ukraine with weapons.
- Putin praised AfD politicians at the forum and said Russia would work with those willing to work with Moscow.
- He said Gazprom is ready to resume gas deliveries and that existing contracts could allow an immediate restart.
If dialogue channels open, the article suggests there could be a path toward talks on ending the war in Ukraine. It also implies that, from Moscow's perspective, gas deliveries to Germany could technically resume quickly if political conditions changed.
The article also shows why such talks are difficult: Putin calls Germany and Europe non-neutral, which weakens trust in any mediation. His praise for the AfD and push for sanctions relief may deepen political tensions in Germany rather than reduce them.
