The co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Tino Chrupalla, has questioned Germany’s membership of NATO.
“A defence alliance must accept and respect the interests of all European countries – including the interests of Russia,” Chrupalla told the newspaper Die Welt in comments published on Sunday.
“If NATO cannot ensure this, Germany must consider to what extent this alliance is still beneficial for us,” he added.
Chrupalla described a proposal from within his party for Germany to leave the European Union as a maximum demand and referred to the idea of replacing the bloc with an “economic and [shared] interest community.”
“Before an exit [from the EU], a new foundation would have to be clearly agreed upon. By the way, this also applies to NATO,” said Chrupalla.
With regard to Russia’s war against Ukraine, the AfD politician stated that the German government must finally reach a stage of wanting to end the war.
“Russia has won this war. Reality has caught up with those who claim to want to enable Ukraine to win the war,” said Chrupalla.
The AfD is currently second in national polls ahead of elections expected in February.
However, the country’s established parties have ruled out co-operating with the AfD, which is under investigation by intelligence services as a suspected right-wing extremist group.
