Polish Far-Right MEP Urges Nord Stream Revival and Polish Stake
Polish far-right MEP Grzegorz Braun called for the Nord Stream pipelines to be restored and for Poland to become a shareholder in the project. Speaking at a conference in Lubmin alongside German AfD politicians, he said he hoped to one day declare his love for the smell of Russian gas in the morning. Poland's energy minister condemned the remarks, which came as US and Russian officials explored a possible pipeline deal.
Braun sits in the European Parliament and heads the Confederation of the Polish Crown Party. He spoke at a Lubmin conference with Alternative for Germany figures; Lubmin is the German Baltic coastal point where Nord Stream pipes reach land. He claimed both Nord Stream lines would likely restart and that Europe would face bankruptcy without Russian gas, urging Warsaw to seek a stake rather than reject the project.
Polish Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka called Braun’s stance shameful and treasonous, saying it conflicted with Poland’s interests and effectively supported Vladimir Putin. Nord Stream was designed to send Russian gas to Germany while avoiding transit through Poland and Ukraine. Braun had previously been removed from a Sejm session in December 2023.
Braun’s remarks could sharpen public debate in Poland over energy security and relations with Russia. They may unsettle policymakers and citizens who view Russian gas as a coercive tool, while possibly resonating with far-right audiences skeptical of mainstream policy. Any renewed Nord Stream discussion could complicate Warsaw’s alliances and affect consumers, energy firms, and solidarity with Ukraine, though the immediate practical impact remains uncertain.