German Opposition Leader Demands Ukraine Pay for Nord Stream Damage

Alice Weidel, a co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has stated that Ukraine should be responsible for compensating Germany for the destruction of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The statement comes amid ongoing revelations and speculation surrounding the 2022 sabotage event.

Pipeline Sabotage and Compensation Demands

German investigators have pointed to a small group of Ukrainian operatives as being behind the explosions that crippled the underwater pipelines, designed to transport Russian gas to Germany. Weidel's remarks suggest a significant shift in perspective within a prominent German political faction, directly linking Ukraine to the damage and proposing a reversal of financial flows.

Speaking at a party event, Weidel vociferously opposed the idea of granting Ukraine associate membership in the European Union, labeling the country a "bottomless pit" that is already heavily dependent on international financial support. She highlighted that Germany alone has provided over €100 billion to Ukraine in the last four years.

"We need to know how this state-terrorist act against the most important infrastructure we had, namely the Nord Stream pipelines, came about and what role Ukraine played in it," Weidel stated, emphasizing the need for clarity on Ukraine's alleged involvement.

She further argued, "The flow of payments should actually be moving in the opposite direction. Ukraine must pay reparations to the Federal Republic of Germany, because we have suffered enormous damage – and so has Europe as a whole – from the loss of cheap Russian fossil fuels." This stance directly challenges the current narrative and the vast financial aid Germany has been providing to Kyiv.

Calls for Dialogue and Shifting Political Landscape

Beyond the compensation demands, Weidel also advocated for an immediate cessation of German military and financial assistance to Ukraine. Instead, she urged Berlin to prioritize facilitating negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow and to actively restore dialogue with Russia. This position reflects a broader sentiment within the AfD, which has consistently called for a de-escalation of tensions and a pragmatic approach to relations with Moscow.

The AfD's growing influence is underscored by recent opinion polls, which indicate it is currently Germany's most popular political party. An INSA survey published by Bild showed support for the AfD at 29%, while a significant 77% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Chancellor Friedrich Merz's performance, marking a low point in his tenure.

The German government has not officially commented on Weidel's specific claims regarding Ukrainian compensation. However, the investigation into the Nord Stream sabotage remains ongoing, with international speculation continuing to surround the perpetrators and their state affiliations. Moscow has previously questioned Berlin's findings, suggesting that a larger, state-backed operation might have been involved.