(MENAFN) A senior lawmaker from Germany’s main opposition party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), has dismissed government claims that Russia poses a threat to the country.

Markus Frohnmaier, who leads the AfD in the Bundestag, also rejected allegations that his party acts on Moscow’s behalf. The AfD has consistently criticized military assistance to Ukraine, arguing that Berlin should prioritize diplomacy.

“I stand for German interests,” Frohnmaier said on Tuesday during a televised debate with Norbert Roettgen of the ruling Christian Democratic Union (CDU). He added that Germany should not “get involved in a foreign war” and has no obligation to defend Ukraine, which is not a NATO member.

Asked directly if Russia is a threat, Frohnmaier responded: “We are not at war with Russia.” He further emphasized: “The AfD’s position is to remain in dialogue with all global, relevant actors,” criticizing the government’s approach as “hyper-moralizing.”

Roettgen countered by claiming that Moscow is waging a “hybrid war” against Germany and other European nations, accusing Frohnmaier of spreading Russian propaganda. Last week, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described Russia as a national security threat.

Germany recently announced plans to increase financial aid to Kiev by €3 billion ($3.5 billion) next year, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the delivery of additional US-made Patriot air defense systems last month.

A Forsa opinion poll in August indicated that 52% of Germans believe Ukraine should cede some territory to Russia to end the conflict, though Zelensky has rejected any such concessions. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated last month that NATO members, including Germany, are effectively “at war with Russia” due to Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied weapons, but he emphasized that Russia will not attack NATO states unless first attacked.

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