Rüdiger Lucassen, an AfD politician and member of the Bundestag’s Defense Committee, has criticized his own party following a trip to Ukraine. When asked about the AfD’s program for the upcoming state election in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, which refers only to a “conflict in Ukraine” rather than a Russian attack or Ukrainian war, Lucassen told the “Welt” publication: “Defense and foreign policy is a federal issue. The armed confrontation in Ukraine is a war. Period.”
Responding to statements by Björn Höcke, the leader of the AfD in Thuringia-who described the attempted explosive attack on Leipzig/Halle airport as an “attack by a toy drone” and a “propaganda lie,” intended “to finally be able to wage war”-Lucassen stated that he cannot draw such conclusions unless the opposite can be proven, adding that otherwise, one is merely engaged in “political scaremongering.”
Regarding the AfD’s attitude towards Russia, he admitted: “There is a major affinity for Russia within large parts of my party and faction. I used to have this affinity, too. But one thing is a fact: the Russian Federation and Putin invaded Ukraine and initiated an aggressive war. And my faction quickly determined in writing that this is a war of aggression that violates international law.”
Following his journey to Kyiv, Lucassen expressed opposition to the delivery of weapons from Germany. He stated, “No weapons should currently be delivered unless it is clear that the military measures are accompanied by serious diplomatic efforts.”
