WORLD IN BRIEF: Russia open to Ukraine peace talks, Macron criticises foreign leaders over French riots, Burkina Faso restores death penalty and other stories

Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, urged European lawmakers on Wednesday to initiate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine while maintaining Germany's access to affordable Russian energy. Weidel emphasized that the focus should not be on appeasing Russia, but rather on fostering a constructive diplomatic approach that considers the interests of both nations.

The war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, prompted President Donald Trump to encourage Kyiv to negotiate with Moscow, and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to resume trilateral talks with Ukraine. During a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Weidel unveiled her AfD party's EU program, which aims to reduce the Commission's power, restructure the European Parliament, and seek a Germany opt-out from policies the party deems unchangeable.

Polish MEP Tobiasz Bocheński asked Weidel about Poland's concerns over Russia, to which she replied that her party prioritizes German interests, stating that Germany currently faces a critical phase where its industry is struggling due to a lack of Russian gas and oil. Weidel highlighted that Germany requires a dependable, inexpensive energy source, which Russia has provided for four decades, and criticized sanctions on Russia for undermining Germany's business model.

She claimed that the EU has been silent on peace talks since the war began, adding that European leaders should have pushed for peace from the outset, as the EU is now in a more unfavorable position heading into negotiations with Russia. Weidel also criticized Germany's current economic challenges, such as job losses due to high energy costs, Chinese competition, and U.S. tariffs.

She argued that Russia, the U.S., and China are the only parties leading the discussions on Ukraine, while European leaders remain excluded. The AfD party seeks unity and cooperation on a European level, including discussions with France's far-right National Rally to mend ties.