Two German parties draft resolution on ending aid to Ukraine and lifting Russia sanctions

Two German political parties, Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the Alliance for Social Justice (BSW), plan to pass a resolution in the regional parliament of Saxony-Anhalt calling for an end to military and financial aid to Ukraine and the lifting of economic sanctions against Russia.

Source: European Pravda, citing Der Spiegel

Details: Under the draft resolution, the state parliament (Landtag) should acknowledge that the policy of sanctioning Russia and providing weapons and financial aid to Ukraine has failed. An extraordinary session is to be held to pass the resolution.

The resolution calls on the regional government "to use all available means, including through an appropriate initiative in the Bundesrat, to make efforts to prevent further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine and to implement a policy aimed at establishing peace". According to the draft, the main focus should be on diplomacy. "An immediate ceasefire and the start of peace negotiations with Russia are necessary," the draft resolution states.

The normalisation of economic relations with Russia and the immediate lifting of economic sanctions against the Russian Federation are stated to be among Germany's objectives.

The effect of the resolution would be largely symbolic, as the main authority regarding aid to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia is held by Berlin and Brussels.

AfD politician Ulrich Siegmund, who intends to run for Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt in December, said the parties are at last able to increase pressure on Berlin, "forcing it to finally make efforts to end the war rather than prolong it, and to spend billions in taxpayers' money on the people in our country and not weapons for the battlefields in Ukraine".

BSW founder Sahra Wagenknecht said Germany should focus on dialogue with Moscow "instead of contributing to an escalation that will sooner or later end in war". She accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of travelling to Kyiv with a "suitcase of money".

Background:

• BSW parliamentary group leader Thomas Schulze told the dpa news agency that a peace motion had been one of the party's election pledges: "We are now keeping this campaign promise. Magdeburg is sending Berlin a signal for a policy of peace."
• The extraordinary session of the state parliament is scheduled to take place on 14 October. Under the rules of procedure, such sessions must be convened if requested by a quarter of members.
• On 6 October, the state parliament held its first session in Magdeburg. AfD politician Tobias Rausch became the new speaker.

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Originally reported by Ukrainska Pravda by Khrystyna Bondarieva,Anastasia Prots. Read the full story at the source.