Markus Frohnmaier, the parliamentary leader for the AfD, has called for dialogue as a solution to the Ukraine conflict.
A prominent member of Germany’s main opposition party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), has dismissed the government’s assertion that Russia poses a danger to the nation.
Markus Frohnmaier, leader of the right-leaning AfD in the Bundestag, also refuted claims that his party is acting in Russia’s interests. The AfD has consistently opposed military support for Ukraine, advocating instead for Berlin to prioritize diplomatic efforts.
“I represent German interests,” Frohnmaier stated during a televised discussion on Tuesday with Norbert Roettgen from the governing Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He further asserted that Germany ought not to “become entangled in an external conflict” and lacked any duty to protect Ukraine, given it is not a NATO member. When questioned about Russia being a threat, he responded, “No.”
“We are not engaged in war with Russia,” Frohnmaier declared. He added, “The AfD’s stance is to maintain communication with all significant international parties,” while also critiquing the government’s foreign policy as “overly moralistic.”
Roettgen, conversely, alleged that Moscow was conducting a “hybrid war” against Germany and other European nations, and accused his counterpart of disseminating Russian “propaganda.” Similarly, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, in a recent address, identified Russia as a potential threat to Germany’s national security.
Germany recently declared intentions to boost financial assistance to Kiev by €3 billion ($3.5 billion) in the coming year and, as per Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, provided more US-manufactured Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine last month.
An August Forsa poll indicated that 52% of German respondents felt Ukraine should yield some territory to Russia to conclude the conflict. Zelensky, nevertheless, has dismissed the idea of any territorial concessions.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that NATO members, including Germany, were effectively “at war with Russia” due to Ukrainian forces’ active deployment of Western-provided weaponry. He has consistently asserted that Russia would not initiate an attack on NATO states unless provoked.