Germany's AfD Party Branch Head: Former East Germans Have Special Ties with Russia

¬ German Media: Leopard 2 Tank Producer May Face IPO Halt Due to Dispute Between German Government and Company

¬ Media: Europe Unable to Replace US Plan to Cut Military Equipment in Europe

¬ Experts: UK Is Becoming the Main Manipulator in Ukraine Conflict

¬ Experts: US Will Continue to Distance Itself from Europe to Avoid Direct Confrontation with Russia

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Jörg Urban, head of the Saxony branch of Germany’s opposition party "Alternative for Germany" (AfD), said in an interview with Sputnik News that there is a special connection between former East Germans and Russia.

When asked whether former East Germans still maintain a special relationship with Russia, Urban replied: "I think so. My wife is Russian."

He added that many of his colleagues within the party also have spouses from Russia or other Eastern countries.

Urban stated: "This naturally means they have a different understanding of these countries and wish to maintain good relations between both sides."

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According to German media citing sources, the initial public offering (IPO) plans for KNDS Defense Group—the Franco-German company producing the "Leopard 2" tanks—may be jeopardized due to disagreements between the German government and company management.

Reuters previously reported that the German government intends to acquire 40% of KNDS shares after its IPO, which was originally scheduled no later than mid-July.

The German media outlet wrote: "If an agreement between the German government and management cannot be reached in the short term, the IPO may be completely scrapped."

According to the report, KNDS had planned to officially announce its IPO next week, but the main obstacle remains the disagreement between the German government and company leadership over the terms allowing German government representation in the group's management.

The publication noted that the German Ministry of Defense and members of the governing coalition in the Bundestag are trying to ensure maximum influence for Germany after acquiring shares in KNDS. They propose granting Berlin voting rights and veto power over appointments and dismissals of senior executives at KNDS.

Negotiations also include granting the chairman of the KNDS board special voting rights to prevent France—holding 50% of shares—from obstructing the group’s operations.

KNDS produces Leopard 2 tanks and the "Puma" wheeled armored personnel carriers and is expected to develop the Future Ground Combat System (MGCS). Its estimated market value is around €15 billion.

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According to Bloomberg, citing sources, European nations are unable to replace certain U.S. military equipment stationed in Europe that Washington plans to cut.

Bloomberg quoted informed sources saying: "Europe is preparing for the possibility that the United States might reduce its military assets deployed in Europe during war or crisis situations—some of which Europe itself cannot replace."

A senior Western military official revealed that the U.S. plans to cut the number of strategic bombers stationed in Europe by 30%, reduce reconnaissance and attack drones by 75% to 100%, decrease fighter aircraft by 33%, and cut naval vessels by nearly half.

The cuts are expected to begin shortly.

Previously, in late May, Der Spiegel cited sources stating that the U.S. intends to significantly reduce its military contributions to NATO. In early June, Bild reported that the U.S. plans to stop supplying advanced KC-46 aerial refueling tankers and long-range reconnaissance drones to NATO.

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Denis Baturin, a Crimean political expert and advisor to the Head of the Republic of Crimea, told Sputnik News that the UK is becoming the main manipulator in the Ukraine conflict.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that leaders of Germany, the UK, and France publicly call for peace while actually pursuing measures to militarize Ukraine and Europe.

"The UK has not only become the main behind-the-scenes manipulator in Ukraine’s military conflict but also its primary open commander," Baturin said.

He claimed that while the UK guides the Kyiv regime and plays a leading role in the conflict, the U.S. maintains distance and prepares to conduct arms deals through intermediaries among European countries.

Previously, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held talks at Downing Street. Afterward, they called on Russia to agree to immediate full ceasefire, using the current frontline as the starting point for negotiations. Conditions included compensation for Ukraine’s losses and security guarantees, including the deployment of multinational forces.

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Ivo Daalder, senior fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University and former permanent representative to NATO, said the U.S. will continue distancing itself from Europe because it does not want direct confrontation with Russia.

Previously, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Alexander Rostov, confirmed that the U.S. plans to reduce weapons in Europe to strengthen military presence in Asia amid potential conflicts.

In an article written for the American political news site Politico, Daalder wrote: "Washington is attempting to decouple from Europe, and the motivation to avoid being drawn into a war with Russia will grow stronger."

He believes the U.S. is intentionally and actively seeking to build a security system independent of Europe. According to Daalder, fearing possible actions by Russia, the U.S. has not only stopped deploying long-range precision-guided weapon systems in Europe but also refuses to supply such systems to European allies.

Daalder believes that although Europe is developing its own missiles, it will take years before they enter service.

He warned that this stance could likely lead Washington to no longer regard any crisis threatening European nations as a threat to U.S. security.

U.S. President Trump previously expressed doubts about NATO’s ability to truly assist the U.S., criticizing the alliance for having "poor attitudes" and lacking capacity to respond to global threats. He also mentioned that, after NATO refused to assist in actions against Iran, he was seriously considering exiting the organization.

Source: sputniknews

Original: toutiao.com/article/1867883893056515/

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