AfD leader Weidel calls funding lost Ukraine war a grave mistake

Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany party and co-chair of its Bundestag parliamentary group, answered questions from Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief of the weekly news magazine The Economist.

In the interview, Weidel offered broad evaluations spanning Germany’s energy crisis, the war in Ukraine, the fiscal balances and debt crisis of the European Union, and the country’s asylum and immigration policies.

Openly criticizing the Berlin government’s current foreign and security posture, Weidel stated that Germany is pursuing a policy that does not directly protect its interests, creating a situation that inflicts immense damage on the national economy.

“Foreign policy must serve our national interest”

During the interview, Weidel was asked whether Russia crossing Ukraine’s borders poses a threat to European nations and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Stating that framing the issue through a threat dichotomy is incorrect, Weidel said, “I do not think it is a question of whether there is a threat or not. I believe German foreign policy should be judged by the criterion of whether it serves our national interest.”

Saying that the German Federal Government’s current actions have created a grave situation, Weidel remarked, “Acting the way our government is acting right now produces a very damaging outcome for us.”

Addressing the economic curbs in place, Weidel remarked, “I have not even mentioned the sanctions yet. While we implement sanction packages one after another, Donald Trump is talking with Vladimir Putin about more diesel deliveries.”

Pointing out that major powers act pragmatically, Weidel continued, “At the same time, they are also talking about oil and natural gas, aren’t they? We would want the same for Germany.”

Weidel was asked whether it is a legitimate imperative for Germany and other Western European countries to back a democratic country defending itself against overt aggression.

Taking direct aim at Ukraine’s governing structure, Weidel said, “As democratic as it gets. They are no longer holding elections for a new president.”

Referring to the perspective in Washington, Weidel said, “That is precisely why the American president insists on new presidential elections, because he thinks Zelensky is not the right person at the right time.”

When reminded that elections cannot be held in Ukraine due to the state of war and martial law, Weidel criticized how the narrative is constructed and recalled that they had previously condemned Russia’s attack.

Addressing the legal framework at the onset of the conflict, Weidel stated, “When we speak about an aggressor and a non-aggressor, we also criticized Russia’s attack on Ukraine, because Ukraine is a sovereign country. Full stop. There can be no debate about this.”

“Wrong to finance a lost war”

Emphasizing the need to focus on the current impasse dragging the continent down, Weidel stated that the prevailing balance is unsustainable.

“However, we are now in the current status quo. And this status quo is terrible,” Weidel said.

Drawing attention to the scale of devastation, Weidel said, “Not only because of people dying, families losing their sons, the destruction of infrastructure and refineries, and soaring diesel prices. There is an incredibly high security risk for all countries, primarily European nations.”

Saying this trajectory must be halted, Weidel stated, “Therefore, we must put an end to this. This is in our interest, because I am a German politician.”

Noting that she must place Germany’s priorities at the centre, Weidel asked, “I have to evaluate every German foreign policy: Is it in our national interest, or is it not?”

Sharply criticizing Berlin’s current measures, Weidel said, “This prolongation and the measures the German government is currently taking pose an enormous risk to our country.”

Expressing that Ukraine cannot achieve a military victory, Weidel assessed, “We find it wrong, I find it wrong, to continue prolonging and financing a war that is already lost.”

Pointing to the disparity in capacity between the two countries, Weidel stated, “Unfortunately, you can truly say that Ukraine is too small. It is impossible for Ukraine to defeat Russia.”

Weidel summarized the point reached by saying, “So what do we do now? There is a lost war.”

In response to the objection that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace and continued to strike Ukrainian cities throughout the winter, Weidel noted that the same question must be directed to the other side.

Touching on the search for evidence to halt the conflict, Weidel said, “Can you show me a single piece of evidence that Vladimir Putin is interested in peace? And can you show me a single piece of evidence that Zelensky is interested in peace?”

When presented with reports that the Ukrainian side is ready for talks on a ceasefire and a halt to strikes on energy infrastructure, Weidel highlighted the financial burden borne by Germany.

Asked whether Germany should cut aid, Weidel replied, “We have already spent more than 100 billion. No other country has spent this much, and we have run heavily into debt.”

Summarizing her political stance in clear terms, Weidel said, “Yes, I put my country’s interests first. Germany comes first.”

Stating that the current conflict poses a direct threat, Weidel remarked, “This war is not in our interest, and it is very, very dangerous for our national security.”

Noting that a security architecture must be built impartially to achieve a lasting compromise, Weidel said, “To reach peace in Ukraine, we must take into account not only Ukraine’s security interests, but also Russia’s security interests.”

Criticizing past Western policies, Weidel assessed, “That was the great mistake made in the past and over the last two decades: failing to recognize Russia’s security concerns.”

“We will definitely have a bond market crisis”

In the interview, it was recalled that Marine Le Pen, parliamentary group leader of the National Rally party leading French opinion polls, wants infrastructure projects financed with European Central Bank resources.

Asked about scenarios regarding Europe’s future leadership structure, Weidel stated that Le Pen acts in line with French interests.

Pointing to the fiscal transfer dynamics within the European Union, Weidel said, “Germany is the main financier of the European Union, and France gets the money. Just like other countries.”

Expressing understanding for Le Pen’s approach, Weidel said, “Of course, from her perspective, I would do the same. She wants to do the best for her country.”

Touching on the vulnerability in France’s fiscal structure, Weidel remarked, “Even while France is already in a massive debt crisis with roof-hitting interest rates, it wants debt forgiveness without compensation.”

Emphasizing market uncertainty, Weidel said, “I do not know what they will do in the capital markets, do they? But Germany is in almost the same situation.”

Drawing attention to Berlin’s debt burden, Weidel observed, “Our public debt is climbing rapidly.”

Weidel responded decisively when asked whether a sovereign bond crisis could emerge in Europe if financial markets price in these statements.

Pointing to potential turmoil, Weidel stated, “Definitely. We will definitely have a bond market crisis.”

Noting that the debt burden is not confined to a few countries, Weidel said, “With such high public debt, this applies not only to France, but also to Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Germany.”

Criticizing the federal government’s new borrowing decisions, Weidel said, “With this new debt programme of Germany, our interest rates on the capital market are already rising. We too are now a debtor country.”

“Syrian and Afghan nationals must return home”

During the interview, concerns felt by millions of people of migrant background living in Germany regarding the policies of the party, described as far right, were raised.

Asked whether Syrian and Afghan asylum seekers with legal status could remain in the country, Weidel responded through existing legislation.

Arguing that the legal grounds have ceased to exist, Weidel stated, “To be honest, our laws, our asylum law clearly states: the moment the reason for coming to our country disappears, they must leave.”

Pointing to Syrians as an example, Weidel said, “Especially for Syrians, since you mentioned them, let us take that example: the justification that they are refugees, asylum seekers here and need protection has now ended.”

Criticizing financial support, Weidel said, “They receive mountains of money from the state here, but that does not matter right now. They must return to their own countries. They need to leave our country.”

Saying that the German administrative apparatus must enforce the rules, Weidel said, “Law enforcement in Germany is very clear.”

Arguing that all Syrians should be sent back, Weidel assessed, “Because the war in Syria has ended, 100% of Syrian citizens must return to their countries.”

Targeting the Federal Government’s Afghanistan policy as well, Weidel said, “Just like the Afghans whom our government virtually decided to bring to our country by plane.”

Sharply criticizing these evacuation decisions, Weidel remarked, “I do not know how you arrive at this unacceptable policy of flying Afghans in from Afghanistan.”

Addressing rising security statistics, Weidel said, “Since the borders were opened in 2015, our crime rates have gone through the roof.”

Pointing to serious crime categories, Weidel said, “Syrians and Afghans constitute the main group for the most serious crimes, such as rape, homicide, and violent offences.”

Saying security measures must be implemented immediately, Weidel stated, “We must send these people back, and detain criminals and extremist religious leaders. We do not want a caliphate in our country.”

Touching on the situation of Ukrainian refugees, Weidel noted that they oppose permanent settlement.

Pointing to a return timetable for people fleeing the war, Weidel said, “I have not even mentioned Ukrainians yet. When this war ends, Ukrainians must also leave our country.”

Giving a figure for the total population that must depart, Weidel said, “In total, this means millions of people; it reaches roughly four to five million, and they must leave our country.”