The Ukrainian ambassador in Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, has received backing from both the Union and the Greens regarding his claims that certain German political parties are receiving influence or instructions from Russia.
Jürgen Hardt, the foreign policy spokesman for the CDU’s parliamentary group, told the newspaper “Welt” that every German voter must question whether the parties running in the 2026 election are working for Germany’s enemies. Hardt noted that questioning the loyalty of elected representatives is a severe accusation, but emphasized that there has been more than just speculation, stating that both the AfD and the BSW have repeatedly demonstrated a “servitude to Russia.”
The support also extended from the Greens within the Bundestag. Sara Nanni, the Greens’ security policy spokesman, stated that “the ambassador’s accusation has substance.” While Nanni tends to view naive, populist radical pacifism as the root cause of problems within her own party, she asserts that Moscow’s relationship with the AfD appears coordinated. She has previously pointed to evidence of close ties between the far-right AfD and the Kremlin, referencing AfD deputies who frequently visited the Russian embassy, as well as former staff members who reportedly worked for Russian services. Nanni questioned the motivation of anyone seeking association with a mass murderer and aggressor who threatens Germany, attacks its brothers in Ukraine, and causes its own people suffering.
Makeiev had previously told “Welt” that there are parties on both the right and the left in Germany that “clearly get instructions from Moscow every morning.” When asked if he was referring specifically to the BSW, AfD, and Die Linke, the ambassador warned against autocracy, xenophobia, and approving war crimes.
However, several parties vehemently rejected the accusations. The BSW founder, Sahra Wagenknecht, dismissed the claim entirely, asserting that the Ukrainian ambassador “has lost all sense of proportion.” She criticized the ambassador for the perceived interference in German elections and questioned his authority, given the billions of euros the Ukrainian state draws from German taxpayers each year-much of which is paid by voters across all parties.
Markus Frohnmaier, the AfD’s foreign policy spokesman in the Bundestag, also denied the ambassador’s claims. Telling “Welt,” he stated that the AfD neither receives nor accepts directives from Moscow. He accused Makeiev of lying and abusing his diplomatic position for political meddling and targeted provocations in Germany. Frohnmaier referred to the suspension of elections in Ukraine since 2022 and “serious corruption risks,” casting doubt on the ambassador’s credibility in portraying himself as a democratic teacher. He concluded by warning that an AfD government would end the “German blank check for Kyiv.”
Meanwhile, Die Linke stated that Makeiev’s comments did not apply to them. Bundesgeschäftsführer Jannis Ehling maintained that the condemnation of war crimes, xenophobia, and the strengthening of democracy must be required of all parties, regardless of where they stand. He added that this expectation also applied to the governing parties, which he accused of fostering a sense of hypocrisy and insecurity with their leniency toward international law or their deals with autocrats.
