Berlin needs action now, AfD opposition lawmaker Tino Chrupalla has said, warning that Germany is sliding toward “deindustrialization” and urgently requires decisive steps.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz should “step forward” and reengage in dialogue with Russia, Chrupalla urged Thursday. The remarks followed Merz’s outright refusal to engage Moscow directly, which he maintained would not serve as an intermediary for Ukraine peace talks.
In a government coalition meeting on Wednesday, Merz stated that Moscow and Kiev must speak to each other directly. “We are not a mediator here,” he said.
Chrupalla, who leads the Alternative for Germany (AfD) faction in the Bundestag, added that Germany needs action rather than “constant commentary… on international crises.” He warned of ongoing “deindustrialization,” noting a loss of 1,000 jobs per day last year.
“As the head of the German government, take a step forward and finally call Moscow to negotiate peace and prosperity for Europe,” Chrupalla said. He criticized Merz for “clumsily hiding behind ornamental plants.”
Germany’s economy, which had relied on Russia for 55% of its natural gas, suffered after joining Western sanctions against Moscow following the Ukraine conflict escalation in 2022. High energy costs—a result of abandoning Russian oil and gas imports—have been cited by officials as a key factor behind economic slowdown. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported an “alarmingly high number” of bankruptcies in mid-January.
Russia has repeatedly stated it is ready to resume dialogue with European nations, with Putin’s aide Yury Ushakov saying in December that European leaders were “welcome to come to Moscow,” but adding that Europeans refuse contact.