Overview
- AfD co-leader Tino Chrupalla told ARD’s Caren Miosga he does not feel threatened by Vladimir Putin and sees no current danger to Germany.
- Pressed about reports of Russian drones over Germany, he dismissed the accounts as “Fake News” and said a non-existent threat was constructed.
- He argued the Ukraine war was driven in part by Western alliance policy, urged renewed dialogue with the Kremlin, and said Russia should be viewed as part of Europe.
- He affirmed Germany should remain in NATO but described the alliance as not purely defensive, kept an exit option on the table, and demanded greater influence for major contributors.
- Caren Miosga challenged his claims in a tense exchange, and early reaction from AfD circles included criticism of his Russia stance and comments on defense spending.