German state parliament passes motion to end Ukraine aid

Lawmakers in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt passed a motion on October 14, 2026, calling for an end to German military support for Ukraine and the normalization of relations with Russia. The motion was backed by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the far-left Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), which together hold a working majority in the state parliament.

Motion Demands and Political Context

The resolution urges the state government to raise the issue in the Bundesrat, the upper house of the national parliament. According to the text, "Financial support for Ukraine that goes beyond humanitarian aid must be stopped immediately." The motion also called for the "immediate" lifting of sanctions against Moscow and demanded an "immediate ceasefire and the initiation of peace negotiations with Russia."

The document did not mention Russia’s responsibility for starting the war by invading Ukraine. The AfD and BSW argue that the West’s "one-sided stance" has prolonged the conflict and increased the risk of it spreading.

Reactions from Other Parties

Representatives from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Social Democratic Party (SPD), Greens, and Left Party opposed the motion. CDU lawmaker Stefan Ruland argued that the demands placed the burden on Ukraine rather than Russia. "Anyone who demands a ceasefire only from the side that has been attacked is not calling for peace, but for capitulation," Ruland said.

Caretaker Premier Sven Schulze of the CDU emphasized Russia's role in the conflict. "Russia started this war and Russia must end it and withdraw its troops from Ukraine," Schulze said. Left Party lawmaker Eva von Angern criticized the resolution for omitting the impact of Russian military actions on civilians. "What is completely missing from your motion is any mention of the fact that it is Russian troops who are fighting on Ukrainian territory and killing civilians in cities with their drones and missiles," von Angern said.

Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, condemned the vote, describing the motion as the "peak of absurdity," according to United24Media.

Federal Authority and Future Implications

The motion is purely advisory and cannot directly change national foreign policy. Authority over international sanctions and military assistance rests with federal institutions and, in relevant areas, the European Union. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to continue supporting Kyiv and has accused Russia of waging a campaign of sabotage and disinformation against Germany.

The AfD won just under 44% of the vote in the September 2026 election in Saxony-Anhalt, emerging as the strongest party but falling short of an absolute majority. The party hopes to form a state government in December, with leader Ulrich Siegmund seeking to become state premier. Security authorities in Saxony-Anhalt classify the AfD as a confirmed right-wing extremist party, and other parties have ruled out cooperation with it.

Why it matters

This vote highlights growing political polarization in Germany regarding the war in Ukraine. While the motion is nonbinding, it reflects significant regional opposition to federal policy and tests the durability of cooperation between far-right and far-left factions united by their opposition to sanctions and military aid. The outcome may influence future debates in the Bundesrat and national elections.

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Sources

• turkiyetoday.com: Far-right and far-left parties pass motion in German state to end Ukraine aid - Türkiye Today
• suaragarut.id: AfD and BSW Push to End Ukraine Aid in Saxony-Anhalt

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.