BERLIN — A prominent figure in the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not pose a threat to Germany, while instead identifying Poland as a potential concern. This statement aligns with narratives often promoted by the Kremlin.
The remarks come amid rising apprehension among centrist German politicians, who accuse the AfD of serving as a conduit for Russian interests within the country — an assertion that party leaders vehemently reject.
“Putin hasn’t done anything to me,” asserted Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the AfD, in a recent interview on German public television. “I don’t see any danger to Germany from Russia at the moment.”
Chrupalla further claimed that any nation could potentially be a threat to Germany, citing Poland specifically. He referenced the Polish government’s refusal to extradite a Ukrainian individual whom German authorities suspect of involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022. “Poland can also be a threat to us,” he stated.
Concerns over Russian influence
As tensions rise, centrist politicians are increasingly characterizing the AfD as a party that reflects Russian interests, with some asserting that Moscow is exploiting the party’s connections to extract sensitive information. Marc Henrichmann, the conservative chair of the Bundestag’s intelligence oversight committee, recently expressed his belief that Russia is indeed utilizing the AfD for espionage purposes.
“Russia is naturally exerting its obvious influence in parliament, especially in the AfD, in order to spy and obtain sensitive information,” Henrichmann remarked in an interview with a leading German newspaper. “The AfD is gratefully allowing itself to be used for this betrayal by Putin.”
Internal strife within the AfD
In response to these allegations, Chrupalla has strongly defended the party, suggesting that such accusations are unfounded: “They accuse us of things they can never prove, and I find that perfidious,” he stated during the talk show.
Chrupalla’s comments arise amid ongoing internal conflicts within the AfD regarding a group of party members who were planning to visit Russia for an international BRICS conference in Sochi. Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, has been working to improve the party’s image and limit the influence of its more openly pro-Russian members. She has publicly voiced her opposition to the trip, highlighting an emerging divide within the party over the extent of support for Russia.
“We shouldn’t continue like this,” Weidel declared to reporters in the Bundestag. “We can’t afford it, and we don’t want to.”