Russian envoy Dmitriev says Merz wants Germans to work more for Ukraine
In short
Dmitriev, described by TASS as the Russian president's special representative, said Merz wants Germans to work more for Ukraine, according to RIA Novosti and TASS. TASS reported that he was commenting on a publication by AfD co-chair Alice Weidel saying that the refusal of German citizens to help Kyiv keeps growing. No German response or further detail on the remarks appears in the documents.
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Dmitriev, described by TASS as the special representative of the Russian president, said that Merz wants Germans to work more for Ukraine, both RIA Novosti and TASS reported. Neither outlet gave the location or occasion of the statement. [ 1 , 2 ]
TASS reported that Dmitriev was commenting on a publication by Alice Weidel, co-chair of the AfD party, stating that the refusal of German citizens to help Kyiv continues to grow. The documents do not give the date, outlet or full wording of Weidel's publication, and no German response to Dmitriev's comment appears in them. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The remarks touch on two sensitive strands in Russian-German relations: Berlin's military and financial support for Kyiv and the domestic German debate over it. By amplifying an AfD figure's claim of growing public reluctance to aid Ukraine, a Russian official's comment feeds a dispute that both governments follow closely. The documents give no indication of any policy consequence beyond the statement itself.
Key facts
- Dmitriev said Merz wants Germans to work more for Ukraine, according to RIA Novosti and TASS. [ 1 , 2 ]
- TASS described Dmitriev as the special representative of the Russian president. [ 2 ]
- TASS reported that Dmitriev was commenting on a publication by AfD co-chair Alice Weidel saying that the refusal of German citizens to help Kyiv continues to grow. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Dmitriev's exact wording and any further argument he made. Both documents carry only titles; one adds a short feed summary, and no full article text was available.
- When and where Weidel's publication appeared and what it said in full. TASS refers to a publication without giving its date, outlet or wording.
- Where and when Dmitriev made the statement. Neither document states the place or occasion of the remarks.
- Any reaction from the German government or from Merz. Only Russian official outlets are cited, and no German response appears in the documents.