Nico Lange contrasted two statements dated October 1, 2026, from Vladimir Putin and Friedrich Merz. Putin stated that European citizens must distinguish between Russia's position and that of current political leaders. Election results in the largest European countries, in his opinion, showed that this was already happening. Merz declared that Germany would not be divided by hybrid attacks or by propaganda in social media directed by Moscow's embassies. He also stated that slogans from the AfD and their Russian backers would not change that. #Merz #Putin #Europapolitik (translated)
