Story perspectives

AfD Pushes Nord Stream Restart at St Petersburg Forum

6/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

AfD spokesperson Markus Frohnmaier met Gazprom chief Alexei Miller and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the St. Petersburg forum, urging a Nord Stream restart.
The forum opened on June 3, 2026 with German participation and heightened security after a Ukrainian drone attack, despite an announced large German delegation.
German attendees such as Thomas Bruch represented Russian-based firms.
Bilateral trade between Germany and Russia fell to under €10 billion in 2025, below €60 billion in 2021.

History

Historical Context

EU sanctions launched in 2014 after Russia’s annexation of Crimea began curbing energy ties, and by 2025 trade with Russia had shrunk dramatically. A 2022 partial oil import ban deepened the squeeze, while the EU’s cumulative losses were estimated at least €100 billion in 2015. Now AfD MP Markus Frohnmaier meets Gazprom chief Alexei Miller and envoy Kirill Dmitriev to press for restarting Nord Stream 2.

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Story summary

AfD spokesperson Markus Frohnmaier met Gazprom chief Alexei Miller and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the St. Petersburg forum, urging a Nord Stream restart.
The forum opened on June 3, 2026 with German participation and heightened security after a Ukrainian drone attack, despite an announced large German delegation.
German attendees such as Thomas Bruch represented Russian-based firms.
Bilateral trade between Germany and Russia fell to under €10 billion in 2025, below €60 billion in 2021.

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