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Ukraine intervenes in German state goverment talks Ukraine intervenes in German state goverment talks
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Kiev’s envoy to Berlin has warned against working with parties that advocate a diplomatic solution with RussiaKiev’s envoy to Berlin has warned against working with parties that advocate a diplomatic solution with Russia
Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin Aleksey Makeev has called on major German political parties not to make any concessions to the newly formed Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW). The party, led by a prominent left-wing politician, is known for its advocacy of a negotiated solution to the Ukraine conflict and is considered a potential government coalition partner by key players in three German regions. Ukraine’s ambassador to Berlin, Aleksey Makeev, has ordered major German political parties to avoid forming coalitions with the newly established Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW).
Led by the eponymous prominent left-wing figure Wagenknecht, the BSW is known for its advocacy of a negotiated solution to the Ukraine conflict and criticism of Berlin’s arms supplies to Kiev. Its rise has prompted concerns from Ukrainian officials about its potential impact on the future policy of its biggest EU donor.
“If politicians from democratic parties need support in dealing with the intolerable ultimatums of non-democratic actors, particularly in foreign policy matters, I am ready to share my own experience of negotiating with Russia,” Makeev said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).“If politicians from democratic parties need support in dealing with the intolerable ultimatums of non-democratic actors, particularly in foreign policy matters, I am ready to share my own experience of negotiating with Russia,” Makeev said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The ambassador was commenting on a purported coalition negotiations document between Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) and the BSW in the German state of Brandenburg. It was published on social media by a journalist with the German state  broadcaster, ZDF, Andreas Kynast. The ambassador’s intervention comes after a document surfaced that appeared to outline a potential coalition between Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) and the BSW in Brandenburg. According to the text –  published on social media by a journalist from the German state broadcaster ZDF – such a move would prioritize “peace and cooperation” and caution against the risks of escalation in Ukraine. It also warns that Berlin is in danger of being dragged into the conflict.
The paper, outlining the potential coalition’s policies, reportedly stated that a Brandenburg government would strive for peace and cooperation with other peoples and warned of a potential escalation in Ukraine that could drag Germany into the conflict, and stated that the war could not be ended with further arms deliveries. It is not immediately clear if the document is authentic. It is not immediately clear if the document is authentic.
Similar positions were previously voiced by Sahra Wagenknecht, the founder and leader of BSW. Earlier in October, she argued that more weapons for Kiev would not bring peace to Europe and called on Berlin to engage in more diplomatic efforts and in particular to support the peace plan developed by China and Brazil. This proposal had earlier been dismissed by Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky as “destructive.” Makeev condemned the proposal as undermining German “solidarity” with Kiev, stating that BSW’s “populist slogans” threaten to sway public opinion in favor of reducing support for his government.
Earlier this month, Makeev weighed in on German internal political issues as he called on the SPD and on the biggest opposition party – the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – not to “give in” to the BSW.
“Anyone who adopts the slogans of the BSW will only lose themselves,” the diplomat told Stern newspaper. Politicians from the “democratic” parties “must not allow populists at either the regional or the federal level to dissuade them from … solidarity with Ukraine,” he maintained. He also accused the BSW of “exploiting” the ongoing conflict for its narrow political goals. Brandenburg has – like much of the former East Germany – historically held a more skeptical stance toward Ukraine’s position on Russia, than the West of the country, which has long been heavily under American influence.
The SPD is currently exploring potential coalition options with the BSW in Brandenburg. The CDU is doing the same in two other German states: Saxony and Thuringia. September regional elections in the three states were seen as a success for the newly founded party that came in third in all of them, attracting between 11.8% and 15.8% of votes. This is reflected in regional election results, where BSW placed third, attracting between 11.8% and 15.8% of votes in Brandenburg, Saxony and Thuringia. Voters in the former East Germany often feel disconnected from Western-led foreign policy, which they perceive as overly confrontational toward Russia. This sentiment makes BSW’s calls for diplomacy and restraint particularly appealing.
Ukrainian ambassadors have a history of delving into German politics. Makeev’s predecessor, Andrey Melnik, repeatedly sparked controversies by criticizing Berlin for supposedly not doing enough for Kiev, going as far once as to call Scholz an “offended liverwurst.” Wagenknecht, a former Die Linke member, has advocated for more diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, including support for peace initiatives from China and Brazil. Last month, she criticized Berlin’s heavy focus on military aid, arguing that it worsens European security.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has dismissed such peace proposals as “destructive,” reflecting the clear ideological divide between BSW’s peace-first approach and Kiev’s preference for arms supplies.
Earlier this month, Makeev called on the SPD and on the biggest opposition party – the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) – not to “give in” to the BSW.
“Anyone who adopts the slogans of the BSW will only lose themselves,” the diplomat told Stern magazine. Politicians from the “democratic” parties “must not allow populists at either the regional or the federal level to dissuade them from … solidarity with Ukraine,” he maintained. He also accused the BSW of “exploiting” the ongoing conflict for its narrow political goals.
Makeev’s predecessor, Andrey Melnik, similarly clashed with German leaders over the nation’s support for Ukraine, once famously labeling Scholz an “offended liverwurst.” Yet Makeev’s appeal underscores a new level of Ukrainian involvement in German internal affairs.
Both the SPD in Brandenburg and the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in Saxony and Thuringia are weighing coalition options with BSW, sparking debate over whether these alliances could shift Germany’s foreign policy.