Politics · Germany · 4 hrs ago
Merz accuses AfD and Left Party of downplaying Russia’s threat
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the AfD and Left Party of downplaying the threat from Russia in a speech to parliament.
He spoke ahead of an upcoming EU summit and reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine as it faces Russian attacks.
Merz said Russia was becoming more willing to escalate, and that backing Ukraine was necessary for its defense.
He argued that military aid does not take money from social and education spending, pointing to an exception to Germany’s debt rules.
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla attacked Merz over what he called a lack of reforms and said Germany could no longer afford support for Ukraine.
Chrupalla said the AfD favored de-escalation and diplomacy, while Merz’s speech set out the government’s position before the summit.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the AfD and the Left Party of downplaying the threat from Russia.
Speaking in the Bundestag before an EU summit, he said Russia’s willingness to escalate was increasing and reaffirmed support for Ukraine.
Merz said military aid for Ukraine did not take money away from domestic social and education spending.
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla criticized Merz, saying Germany could no longer afford support for Ukraine and calling for de-escalation and diplomacy.
- Who
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz accused the AfD and the Left Party of downplaying Russia’s threat. AfD leader Tino Chrupalla responded by criticizing Merz.
- What
- Merz reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine and accused the two parties of minimizing the Russian threat.
- When
- Wednesday, before an EU summit; the article was published on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- In the Bundestag in Germany.
- Why
- Merz said Russia’s willingness to escalate was increasing and argued that Ukraine needed support against Russian attacks.
Friedrich Merz and the German government
Tino Chrupalla and the AfD
Ukraine support
Friedrich Merz and the German government
Merz said Germany supports Ukraine in its defense against Russian attacks.
Tino Chrupalla and the AfD
Chrupalla said Germany could no longer afford support for Ukraine.
Russia policy
Friedrich Merz and the German government
Merz accused the AfD and Left Party of downplaying the threat from Russia.
Tino Chrupalla and the AfD
Chrupalla said the AfD stood for de-escalation and diplomacy.
Energy and negotiations
Friedrich Merz and the German government
Merz reaffirmed support for Ukraine; the article does not state his position on Chrupalla’s proposal for energy talks with Russia.
Tino Chrupalla and the AfD
Chrupalla called for Germany to establish contacts and negotiate energy supply contracts independently.
Merz delivered a government statement in the Bundestag before an EU summit and reaffirmed support for Ukraine.
AfD leader Tino Chrupalla responded by criticizing Merz and calling for de-escalation and diplomacy.
- Chancellor
- Friedrich Merz
- Parties criticized
- AfD and Left Party
- Location
- Bundestag, Germany
- Occasion
- Government statement before an EU summit
- AfD leader
- Tino Chrupalla
2 sources
What people are saying
It is incomprehensible to me how you, from the far left and the far right, continue to downplay the situation to this day.
One gets the impression: you want chaos.
We see that Russia’s willingness to escalate is increasing.
The support for Ukraine can no longer be afforded.