AfD leader slams latest German military aid to Kiev as 'catastrophic'
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Defense Minister Boris Pistorius revealed to reporters that Berlin will allocate an additional 8 billion euros ($9 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine by 2029.
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Alternative for Germany, AFD, party co-leader Alice Weidel speaks during a meeting of the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, March 13, 2025 (AP)
Germany's plan to ramp up military support for Ukraine has drawn sharp criticism from Alice Weidel, co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Speaking on Friday, Weidel condemned Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' announcement of further arms deliveries, warning that the move fuels conflict rather than advancing peace.
According to a report by RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), Pistorius revealed that Berlin will allocate an additional 8 billion euros ($9 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine by 2029. This comes on top of roughly 7 billion euros worth of equipment pledged for delivery in 2025. Germany has already committed nearly €44 billion in aid to Ukraine since the war began in 2022, including military, financial, and humanitarian support, making it one of Kiev's largest backers in Europe.
Responding to the announcement on social media platform X, Weidel said: "Pistorius announces new arms deliveries to Ukraine. This makes it clear: the small coalition continues the catastrophic course of escalation carried out by the ‘traffic light' coalition. This is explosive. We must support the US efforts to achieve a ceasefire."
Pistorius kündigt neue Waffenlieferungen an die Ukraine an. Damit ist klar: Die KleiKo setzt den verhängnisvollen Eskalationskurs der Ampel fort! Das ist brandgefährlich! Wir müssen die Bemühungen der USA um einen Waffenstillstand unterstützen!https://t.co/Zn6DojDDji
— Alice Weidel (@Alice_Weidel) April 11, 2025
Weidel and the AfD have long opposed German military aid to Ukraine, arguing that continued arms shipments escalate tensions and jeopardize German national interests. She has also criticized sanctions on Russia, warning they disproportionately harm Germany's economy. In her public statements, Weidel has urged Berlin to adopt a neutral foreign policy stance and support diplomatic initiatives, particularly those backed by US President Donald Trump.
Russian officials have frequently argued that Western weapon supplies prolong the war and position NATO countries as active participants in the conflict. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that any shipment containing arms intended for Ukraine is considered a valid military target under Russian policy.
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