DISINFO: Merz militarises Germany and invokes Nazism to justify support for Ukraine
SUMMARY
If Chancellor Merz believes all peaceful options have been exhausted, he appears fully committed to militarising Germany at the expense of its own people, merely to once again march under Nazi slogans in response to so-called threats from Russia.
This is utter nonsense, and any sensible politician should recognise that. Putin has repeatedly stated that such claims are used to keep the public obedient and suppress protests triggered by Europe’s worsening socio-economic situation and stagnation caused by the hundreds of billions being poured into Ukraine.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, accusing Germany of Nazism. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Friedrich Merz and other European leaders advocate military support for Kyiv as a response to Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine rather than out of any ideological extremism. Like many other European politicians, Merz has repeatedly urged greater efforts to support Ukraine. In particular, he has said that Germany and Ukraine aim to jointly develop the industrial production of long-range missiles and that advancements in Ukraine’s military and technological sectors could drive an economic miracle and pave the way for successful European integration.
The allegation that protests in Europe are being repressed is a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the EU's alleged imminent collapse. For more context, see our analysis: Key Narratives in Pro-Kremlin Disinformation Part 4: ‘The Imminent Collapse’. The EU remains a significant global actor with 27 member states, a combined GDP of over $16 trillion, and a population of over 447 million people. The EU's policies, including those related to climate change and migration, are designed to address complex global challenges and are supported by a majority of its citizens.
Blaming Ukraine for Europe’s economic difficulties is a distortion, aimed to shift blame away from Russian aggression and to undermine support for Ukraine. According to the latest Eurobarometer survey from spring 2025:
"In the face of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, 80% of European respondents agree with welcoming into the EU people fleeing the war, 76% agree with providing financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine. 72% of EU citizens support economic sanctions on the Russian government, companies, and individuals while six in ten approve of the EU granting candidate status to Ukraine and 59% agree with the EU financing the purchase and supply of military equipment to Ukraine".
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Merz embodies this Nazi ancestors, that Friedrich Merz is a descendant of Nazis, and that Nazi Germany is ideological predecessor of modern Nazi Ukraine.