AfD Delegation Courts russia at Pro-Kremlin Conference in Sochi, Echoing Pro-Putin Sentiment
Sochi, Russia – At least three members of the German far-right party Option für Deutschland (AfD) are currently attending the ”Brics Europe” conference in Sochi, Russia, a gathering organized by entities with close ties to the Kremlin. The delegation – comprised of Bundestag member Steffen Kotré, European Parliament member hans Neuhoff, and Jörg Urban, leader of the AfD in Saxony – represents the highest-ranking AfD presence in Russia as the start of the war in Ukraine, funded by German taxpayers.
The “Brics Europe” conference, despite its name, is not affiliated with the official BRICS economic association. It is hosted by the Russian Academy of Sciences and a pro-Russian association whose leader participated in a 2022 election observation mission in the Russian-occupied Donbass region of Ukraine, offering validation of the widely criticized referendums aimed at legitimizing Russian annexation.
The conference attracts individuals sympathetic to Russia and critical of the west. AfD politicians Kotré,Neuhoff,and Urban are known for their pro-Putin views and are utilizing the platform to openly express them.
On Saturday, Jörg Urban delivered a speech in German, translated into Russian, focusing on the economic impact of reduced Russian energy imports on Saxony. “The abandonment of Russian energy raw materials has meant that energy has become so expensive that many Saxon companies are closing their doors or moving abroad,” Urban stated. He further noted a one billion euro annual decline in Saxon exports to Russia,calling it ”very,very much money” for the region.
Urban signaled a desire for renewed cooperation, stating, “We wont to send the signal in Sochi: There are political forces in Germany that want cooperation with Russia and all countries in the world… These forces are getting stronger.” He expressed anticipation for “the outstretched hand” and “collaboration in similar formats.”
The AfD’s participation in the conference is drawing scrutiny as potential fodder for kremlin propaganda, reinforcing narratives critical of Western policies and portraying support for Russia within Germany.