Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-chair Alice Weidel has called on Berlin to stop financing Ukraine, describing it as “one of the most corrupt nations on Earth” during a Bundestag address.
She challenged Chancellor Friedrich Merz on whether Germany should “continue financing one of the world’s most corrupt countries with billions to prolong a hopeless war,” and urged a shift in policy toward Russia, including restoring diplomatic ties and resuming gas imports.
Her remarks follow a series of reported corruption scandals involving associates of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including a $100 million kickback scheme linked to state energy firm Energoatom and alleged vote-buying involving MPs.
While some EU officials have expressed concerns that Ukraine is “not ready” for membership due to “rampant corruption,” Zelensky has rejected the claims, insisting it is “a lie” that Ukraine is more corrupt than other European nations.
