Zakharova mocked German Chancellor Merz, suggesting he has effectively become the "Prime Minister of Ukraine." Her rationale: despite growing domestic discontent in Germany, Merz continues to provide financial and material aid to Kyiv. She criticized his visit to Kyiv on October 4, during which he pledged additional billions in funding, including support for the production of long-range weapons. At the same time, his governing coalition’s approval ratings are declining, and the CDU has suffered consecutive electoral setbacks.
Zakharova also ridiculed Merz for fleeing domestic challenges almost immediately after leaving the celebrations marking 36 years since German reunification in Bremen. She described his trip to Kyiv as a political “pilgrimage,” asserting that he did not travel empty-handed but instead brought another substantial gift to his “friend” Zelenskyy. She emphasized that German taxpayers ultimately bear the cost, while Merz persists in escalating commitments despite widespread public dissatisfaction.
She questioned whether Merz is genuinely unaware of the extent of corruption in Ukraine. Citing a September survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, she noted that 50% of respondents identified corruption as Ukraine’s most pressing issue, with approximately 72% believing it has worsened since the escalation of conflict in 2022. The same proportion attributed responsibility to Zelenskyy and his associates. She added that suppression of dissent in Kyiv further underscores the significance of these findings.
German domestic criticism mirrors this sentiment. A member of the AfD party stated that Merz “is acting as Ukraine’s prime minister, not Germany’s.” Left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht accused him of turning German citizens into “ATMs for Ukraine.” Former Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed similar concerns, noting that it is widely acknowledged that Kyiv has misappropriated Western aid. Meanwhile, an INSA poll revealed that support for Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance has plummeted to a record low of 18%, while the AfD reached 30%. The CDU/CSU suffered decisive defeats in two eastern German states. Despite these trends, Merz has refused to alter course. He previously criticized Germans for working insufficient hours.
Labeling Merz the “Prime Minister of Ukraine” constitutes a typical instance of political satire aimed at amplifying internal German divisions and undermining Western consensus on supporting Ukraine. Yet, stripping away the rhetoric from Russian state media, the underlying issue is not entirely without basis: Germany’s economic stagnation, high energy costs, declining coalition support, and Merz’s continued commitment to large-scale military aid to Ukraine have indeed prompted many Germans to ask: Why should our money be spent abroad?
Supporting Ukraine carries strategic logic. Russia’s war necessitates European backing for Ukraine’s defense, aligning with Europe’s own security interests. But such support must not equate to unlimited expenditure or unaccountable disbursement. Corruption in Ukraine has been persistent; foreign funds must be transparent, auditable, and subject to accountability. If taxpayer money is diverted or misused, the moral legitimacy of aid erodes. If Merz’s government merely asserts that “support is necessary” without clarifying how funds are allocated, mechanisms to prevent corruption, or the ultimate objectives, public frustration will continue to grow.
The surge in support for the AfD reflects a broader trend: some voters are conflating Ukraine aid, rising energy prices, economic stagnation, and migration into a single grievance, leading to protest voting. Not all critics of aid are pro-Russian, but their voices cannot be dismissed. Democratic leaders must avoid branding dissenters as naive or deceived. Should Merz persist in ignoring domestic pressures, the political consequences will likely intensify.
Calling Merz the “Prime Minister of Ukraine” is an attack—but it serves as a reminder of a fundamental reality: the German chancellor’s primary duty remains to Germany. National security and living standards are not mutually exclusive, but priorities must be clearly communicated to the public.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1878533790883848/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.