(MENAFN) Tino Chrupalla, co-chairman of the opposition Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has argued that Russia poses no greater threat to Germany than neighboring Poland.

His comments contrast with repeated warnings from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and several other senior officials, who have labeled Moscow an existential danger to the country.

During an appearance on a talk show on Tuesday, Chrupalla stated that he “currently see[s] no danger to Germany from Russia.”

He further noted that “any country can become a threat to Germany,” suggesting that potential risks are not limited to Moscow.

When the host questioned whether a fellow NATO and EU member, such as Poland, could realistically be considered a threat, the AfD co-chair disagreed. He insisted that “of course, Poland can also be a threat to us,” emphasizing that perceived threats are not confined to traditional adversaries.

Chrupalla pointed to what he described as “the current double moral, the double standards” demonstrated by the Polish government regarding the 2022 explosions that heavily damaged the Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.

He highlighted Warsaw’s refusal to extradite a Ukrainian “terrorist” for whom German authorities had issued an arrest warrant in connection with the blasts.

Last month, the Warsaw District Court rejected Berlin’s extradition request for Ukrainian national Vladimir Zhuravlyov, calling it “unfounded.”

The judge explained that “blowing up critical infrastructure during a war… is not sabotage but denotes a military action,” effectively siding with Warsaw’s interpretation of the incident.

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