AfD politician defends his appearance in the Russian propaganda show

AfD member of parliament Steffen Kotré has defended an appearance on the talk show by Russian TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov. He wrote on Twitter on Friday that he would give an interview to everyone and would also speak to Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), who had declared war on Russia. "I say: despite the war: diplomacy and talking to each other - use all channels." Several media had previously reported on the interview.

Solovyov shared a recording on his Telegram channel. Kotré said on the program, among other things, that the majority of Germans were against the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine, but that the media would do everything to get the people against Russia and its leadership.

AfD boss Tino Chrupalla initially did not evaluate the process in terms of content. "Each elected member of parliament decides and is primarily responsible for the interviews to be conducted himself," he told the German Press Agency when asked whether the appearance had been agreed with him or the parliamentary group and party and what he said about it.

When asked, Chrupalla also commented on an appearance with the Russian ambassador in Germany, Sergei Netschajew, on Thursday at the Seelower Höhen memorial in eastern Brandenburg. The background was the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Stalingrad.

When asked how he justified his meeting with the ambassador against the background of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Chrupalla said: "Secretary of State Baerbock's flippant statements that we are at war can and must be classified. We need to de-escalate and shake hands diplomatically. Germany is not at war with Russia.”

Since 2010, Solovyov has primarily moderated the highly rated talk show "An Evening with Vladimir Solovyov". He has been on Russian television for years, agitating against Ukraine, the West and liberal values. He is considered Putin's propaganda right-hand man.