The recent electoral success of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the Saxony-Anhalt state parliament has raised concerns across Europe due to the party’s explicit ties to far-right ideology and its alignment with Russian interests. Unlike many populist parties that have distanced themselves from extremist roots, the AfD openly embraces nationalist and neo-Nazi associations, with some members downplaying Nazism and criticizing Germany’s Holocaust memorials.

This development is further complicated by support from Russia, notably from President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, who described the AfD’s gains as an “historic win.” The AfD’s platform includes calls to end German military support for Ukraine and to lift economic sanctions imposed on Moscow. These positions align with a broader pattern of sympathy toward Putin shared by various right-wing figures internationally, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, France’s Marine Le Pen, and British politician Nigel Farage. Many within this grouping frame Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a reaction to NATO’s expansion toward Russian borders, a narrative that critics argue intentionally overlooks Russia’s broader imperial ambitions in Eastern Europe.

Analysts suggest that the relationship between Putin and Europe’s populists represents a pragmatic alliance aimed at undermining Western political and cultural institutions. This partnership reflects mutual interests despite differing ultimate goals, with Putin focused on re-establishing Russia’s historical influence and these parties seeking to disrupt liberal democratic norms.

A deeper ideological link stems from a shared emphasis on defending traditional Christian values against what they perceive as threats from liberal universalism, multiculturalism, and Islamization. Putin has frequently expressed the need to restore Christian principles as foundational to society, a stance that resonates with certain conservative factions in the West who view him as a bulwark against secularism and progressive social policies.

However, observers caution that Putin’s agenda is primarily imperialistic. Influential Russian thinker Alexander Dugin, often associated with shaping Putin’s worldview, advocates for dismantling Western modernity—which he characterizes as materialistic, secular, and anti-traditional—and replacing it with a multipolar world order led by Russia. This vision involves a coalition comprising diverse global powers united in opposition to liberal globalism, with Russia’s resurgence as an Orthodox Christian empire at its core. The implications include continued territorial ambitions beyond Ukraine, encompassing Eastern Europe and the Baltic states.

The convergence of the AfD’s nationalist extremism and Putin’s expansionist ideology creates a disturbing alliance. While some on the right may view this relationship through the lens of shared enemies, experts warn that such partnerships risk undermining the very values these groups purport to defend. Both Putin and the AfD represent challenges to Western democratic principles and merit vigilance and opposition.