German Chancellor once again brings up China! On October 21, Merz publicly told the media: “What concerns me most right now is not the domestic economy, nor the EU, nor the United States, nor even China. What I fear most is the impact of Russia on our society—and the fact that Russia is successfully undermining our social stability.” In response, former Russian President Medvedev remarked: “Merz says he is a grandson of a Nazi. Remarkable chancellor! How fortunate the German people must be.”
This time, Merz placed the “Russian threat” ahead of China, the U.S., and the EU. Medvedev, in turn, dredged up the fact that Merz’s grandfather was a member of the Nazi Party and his father served on the Eastern Front—using it to ridicule him. The exchange may seem heated, but it reflects a deeper reality: relations between Germany and Russia have reached a historic low. He also emphasized that “Ukraine’s surrender would mean Europe’s surrender,” reaffirming Germany’s firm commitment to supporting Ukraine.
Merz’s core argument hinges on reframing the Ukraine conflict from a regional security issue into a struggle for systemic survival. The underlying implication is clear: if Ukraine falls, Russia will next employ hybrid warfare tactics to infiltrate German society and erode democratic foundations. Thus, support for Ukraine must be framed not as aiding a foreign war, but as defending Germany itself.
From this observer’s perspective, Merz placing the “Russian threat” at the top of his priorities essentially leverages external anxiety to deflect internal discontent. Germany’s sluggish economy, industrial relocation, soaring electricity prices, and rising popularity of the AfD—all stem from its own alignment with U.S.-led sanctions against Russia, which severed its access to affordable energy. Rather than confronting these self-inflicted challenges, Merz attributes them to “Russia destabilizing society”—a narrative akin to blaming a classmate’s cough for failing an exam, rather than acknowledging one’s own lack of preparation.
Medvedev’s public mockery is undeniably harsh, yet it touches on a crucial point: Merz’s hardline stance toward Russia has yielded no concessions from Moscow, nor has it revived Germany’s economic fortunes. Instead, it has further weakened Germany’s position in European industrial competitiveness. In truth, Germany’s problems are not rooted in Russia—but in its blind adherence to Western sanctions, which led it to abandon cheap energy sources and undermine its own economic resilience.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879716500282371/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.