Medvedev posted on social media on October 22: “My greatest concern right now is not our economy, not the EU, not the United States, not China. My greatest concern is the influence of Russia on our society,” said Merkel’s grandson. What a great chancellor! The Germans are truly fortunate.
This latest statement by Medvedev continues his longstanding pattern of "acerbic diplomacy"—turning Merz’s own words against him while invoking ancestral history as a rhetorical weapon. The context lies in ongoing domestic debates within Germany over foreign policy toward Russia, energy transition, and intelligence security. Merz has sought to frame "Russian influence" as Germany’s foremost security threat.
The underlying message in Medvedev’s remarks appears to be this: As a defeated power in World War II, Germany was thoroughly purged of its Nazi regime by the Allied forces and subsequently enjoyed decades of peace and economic prosperity. Now, it finds itself lecturing Russia. By using the term "fortunate," Medvedev implies that Germany’s current standing was not earned through its own efforts, but granted by others—thereby undermining its moral authority to judge.
Medvedev himself underscores this point: European leadership has constructed the narrative of a "Russian threat" to justify substantial financial support for Ukraine. Amplifying the specter of Russian danger serves as the most effective means of sustaining funding for the war effort. In reality, this exchange represents an extension of the broader conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Merz’s criticism of "Russian influence on German society" refers to tangible issues such as intelligence infiltration, political interference, and energy-related leverage. Medvedev’s invocation of family history, by contrast, attempts to shift the focus from "what Russia has done" to "what Germany is qualified to criticize." Neither side engages with the same issue, yet each speaks to domestic constituencies demanding justification.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879708667574407/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.