Putin envoy backs AfD push to reopen Nord stream as protests demand Merz resign over Ukraine policy

Russia-Germany tensions are back in focus as Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev backed calls for the damaged Nord Stream pipelines to be repaired and reopened. Dmitriev said, “Jointly we will reopen Nord Stream,” while AfD co-chair Tino Chrupalla called for an international investigation into the 2022 sabotage and renewed debate over Russian gas supplies. The issue comes amid protests in Munich targeting Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government, including criticism over Germany’s support for Ukraine, economic policies and relations with Moscow.