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Bundestag member Steffen Kotre of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party accused the German government of providing support for Ukraine 'at the expense of taxpayers' who, he claimed, do not support such spending. He made the remarks on Saturday on the sidelines of the II International BRICS-Europe Symposium in Russia’s Sirius.
"It is well known that corruption is rampant there [in Ukraine]. Sending German taxpayers' money there, knowing full well that some of it will simply disappear, is unacceptable. It shouldn’t be like this. Clearly, German taxpayers are being unfairly ripped off against their will because they certainly don't want this," Kotre said.
The AfD MP also alleged that Ukraine was responsible for the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in 2022, a claim dismissed by multiple governments and investigators, and argued that Berlin should have taken a far tougher stance.
"It is now becoming clear that Ukraine is responsible for the largest act of state terrorism against German infrastructure. This means she is behind the explosion of Nord Stream 2. Germany should have reacted immediately, brought the perpetrators to justice, and frozen all funds, but nothing of the sort happened. The victims will ultimately be German and European citizens," he added.
Kotre went on to argue that diplomatic channels with Moscow must remain open, criticising Western governments for suspending dialogue.
"Not everyone in Germany is in favour of war here, and secondly, to Germany itself, that it is essential to engage in negotiations with Russia. It is our firm conviction that the channels for dialogue should not be closed. This is a rather childish approach that is being taken here, particularly in the West and across Europe, as if they are offended and refuse to speak to each other. After the war, we will see that others will gradually begin to re-engage with Russia. So why stop the dialogue altogether?" he said.
The II BRICS-Europe International Symposium began on November 15, organised by Russia's ruling United Russia party. According to its press service, around 40 European politicians are attending.
AfD deputies Steffen Kotre and Rainer Rothfuss, Jorg Urban, head of the party's Saxony branch, and MEP Hans Neuhoff are all scheduled to participate. Media reports say AfD co-chair Alice Weidel and members of the CDU/CSU had opposed the delegation's visit to Russia.
'German taxpayers being unfairly ripped off!' - Bundestag deputy Kotre on Ukraine's 'rampant corruption'
Bundestag member Steffen Kotre of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party accused the German government of providing support for Ukraine 'at the expense of taxpayers' who, he claimed, do not support such spending. He made the remarks on Saturday on the sidelines of the II International BRICS-Europe Symposium in Russia’s Sirius.
"It is well known that corruption is rampant there [in Ukraine]. Sending German taxpayers' money there, knowing full well that some of it will simply disappear, is unacceptable. It shouldn’t be like this. Clearly, German taxpayers are being unfairly ripped off against their will because they certainly don't want this," Kotre said.
The AfD MP also alleged that Ukraine was responsible for the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in 2022, a claim dismissed by multiple governments and investigators, and argued that Berlin should have taken a far tougher stance.
"It is now becoming clear that Ukraine is responsible for the largest act of state terrorism against German infrastructure. This means she is behind the explosion of Nord Stream 2. Germany should have reacted immediately, brought the perpetrators to justice, and frozen all funds, but nothing of the sort happened. The victims will ultimately be German and European citizens," he added.
Kotre went on to argue that diplomatic channels with Moscow must remain open, criticising Western governments for suspending dialogue.
"Not everyone in Germany is in favour of war here, and secondly, to Germany itself, that it is essential to engage in negotiations with Russia. It is our firm conviction that the channels for dialogue should not be closed. This is a rather childish approach that is being taken here, particularly in the West and across Europe, as if they are offended and refuse to speak to each other. After the war, we will see that others will gradually begin to re-engage with Russia. So why stop the dialogue altogether?" he said.
The II BRICS-Europe International Symposium began on November 15, organised by Russia's ruling United Russia party. According to its press service, around 40 European politicians are attending.
AfD deputies Steffen Kotre and Rainer Rothfuss, Jorg Urban, head of the party's Saxony branch, and MEP Hans Neuhoff are all scheduled to participate. Media reports say AfD co-chair Alice Weidel and members of the CDU/CSU had opposed the delegation's visit to Russia.
Bundestag member Steffen Kotre of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party accused the German government of providing support for Ukraine 'at the expense of taxpayers' who, he claimed, do not support such spending. He made the remarks on Saturday on the sidelines of the II International BRICS-Europe Symposium in Russia’s Sirius.
"It is well known that corruption is rampant there [in Ukraine]. Sending German taxpayers' money there, knowing full well that some of it will simply disappear, is unacceptable. It shouldn’t be like this. Clearly, German taxpayers are being unfairly ripped off against their will because they certainly don't want this," Kotre said.
The AfD MP also alleged that Ukraine was responsible for the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in 2022, a claim dismissed by multiple governments and investigators, and argued that Berlin should have taken a far tougher stance.
"It is now becoming clear that Ukraine is responsible for the largest act of state terrorism against German infrastructure. This means she is behind the explosion of Nord Stream 2. Germany should have reacted immediately, brought the perpetrators to justice, and frozen all funds, but nothing of the sort happened. The victims will ultimately be German and European citizens," he added.
Kotre went on to argue that diplomatic channels with Moscow must remain open, criticising Western governments for suspending dialogue.
"Not everyone in Germany is in favour of war here, and secondly, to Germany itself, that it is essential to engage in negotiations with Russia. It is our firm conviction that the channels for dialogue should not be closed. This is a rather childish approach that is being taken here, particularly in the West and across Europe, as if they are offended and refuse to speak to each other. After the war, we will see that others will gradually begin to re-engage with Russia. So why stop the dialogue altogether?" he said.
The II BRICS-Europe International Symposium began on November 15, organised by Russia's ruling United Russia party. According to its press service, around 40 European politicians are attending.
AfD deputies Steffen Kotre and Rainer Rothfuss, Jorg Urban, head of the party's Saxony branch, and MEP Hans Neuhoff are all scheduled to participate. Media reports say AfD co-chair Alice Weidel and members of the CDU/CSU had opposed the delegation's visit to Russia.