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On ARD’s ‘Maischberger,’ AfD’s Frohnmaier Denies Russian Threat as CDU’s Röttgen Decries ‘Propaganda’

The televised clash revived scrutiny of AfD links to Russia, prompting security concerns over detailed parliamentary queries as well as planned delegations.

Overview

  • In the ARD program, AfD foreign policy figure Markus Frohnmaier said Russia poses no danger to Germany and stressed that Germany is not at war with Moscow.
  • CDU politician Norbert Röttgen countered that Russia conducts hybrid warfare against Germany and Europe, calling Frohnmaier’s stance the best propaganda for Vladimir Putin.
  • Frohnmaier rejected continued weapons deliveries to Ukraine and urged a “serious peace initiative” instead of sustained military and financial support.
  • Defending AfD travel to Russia and his post-annexation visits to Crimea as keeping dialogue open, he faced warnings from security circles that upcoming delegations could enable information leaks.
  • The broadcast resurfaced allegations that AfD has filed granular questions on critical infrastructure that could aid hostile actors and revisited a 2019 Kremlin-linked memo labeling Frohnmaier as under control, which he denied.