German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has steadfastly defended Berlin’s military assistance to Ukraine, dismissing calls from the opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to halt support and pursue immediate peace negotiations. During a Bundestag debate on Wednesday, September 9, Merz stated, “We support Ukraine and we will continue to support her, because she is also defending our freedom.”
The exchange followed remarks by AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, who urged the Chancellor to emulate the United States in pushing for diplomatic talks. Weidel argued that Germany needs “cheap natural gas from Russia” and implied that Kyiv was responsible for the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, alleging that Germany continues to reward the alleged perpetrators with financial payments.
The political clash intensified after the AfD’s strong performance in the Saxony-Anhalt state election on September 6, where the party secured nearly 44% of the vote. When combining results from the AfD, the socialist Left Party, and the populist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), approximately 60% of voters in the region backed parties that are either skeptical of or opposed to Ukrainian support.
Survey data indicates a sharp east-west divide regarding the conflict. An ARD Deutschlandtrend poll revealed that 54% of eastern Germans believe military aid has gone too far, compared to 39% in the west. Political scientist Johannes Varwick noted that this sentiment is driven not necessarily by pro-Russian sympathy, but by a desire to prioritize diplomacy over what some view as a losing war of attrition.
Tensions have further escalated following the German government’s attribution of a failed drone attack on Leipzig airport in early August to Russian intelligence. While President Vladimir Putin called the accusation a “grave error,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described it as the “start of a real war.” Despite these hostilities, a majority of Germans—56%—report feeling strongly threatened by Russia, though this figure drops significantly among eastern voters and AfD supporters.
Critics within Germany, including AfD lawmaker Gottfried Curio, argue that funds sent to Ukraine should instead address strained domestic social services. However, Chancellor Merz maintains that his government’s course enjoys majority backing in parliament and among the public. The sentiment is echoed by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who reaffirmed Germany’s commitment during a visit to Berlin on September 10.
While public support for Ukraine is slowly eroding, with 42% of respondents now feeling aid has gone too far, experts remain divided on whether Berlin will adjust its strategy. Some analysts draw parallels to the withdrawal from Afghanistan, warning of a prolonged conflict, while others argue that supplying weapons differs fundamentally from direct military intervention. For now, however, the German government shows no signs of retreating from its current policy.
Interesting that Merz used the phrase ‘support her’ for Ukraine. A subtle but powerful rhetorical choice showing personal commitment.
Merz is right to stand firm, but he must listen to the skepticism in the east before the political landscape shifts further right.
Shouldn’t we be fixing our own crumbling hospitals first? Paying for a war halfway across Europe while local services collapse is insane.
I find the AfD’s Nord Stream claims deeply unsubstantiated. It feels like conspiracy theory politics rather than real policy.
The east-west divide is stark. It is not just about Russia, but genuine fear of escalation leading to catastrophe.