Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), believes the war in Ukraine is already decided in Russia’s favor. In a bold statement during an interview with Die Welt, he declared, “Russia has won this war. Reality has caught up with those who claim to want Ukraine to win.”
Chrupalla’s remarks underscore his party’s opposition to Germany’s involvement in the conflict, including military aid to Ukraine and EU sanctions against Russia.
The AfD’s position has garnered significant support, especially in Germany’s eastern regions, where the party saw a surge in votes, clinching first place in Thuringia and second in Saxony and Brandenburg. While the AfD pushes for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution, it has also been critical of NATO’s role in the war, with Chrupalla calling for a reassessment of Germany’s membership. He argued that NATO should respect the interests of all European countries, including Russia. If NATO cannot do that, Germany needs to reconsider its participation.
Chrupalla also warned against voting for Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU, who has advocated for sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. In contrast, the AfD advocates for an approach focused on de-escalation, criticizing the German government for aligning too closely with America’s interests.
As the national elections loom on February 23rd, the AfD, currently polling at 20%, is poised to achieve its best result yet. While it faces obstacles in forming a government due to widespread rejection by other parties, its rising support reflects a desire among voters for tougher immigration controls and a more pragmatic approach to Germany’s role in global geopolitics. Chrupalla pointed to Germany’s silence over the Nord Stream attack, questioning the country’s sovereignty and its true independence on the world stage.
