Pro-Russian resources are spreading information that the leader of the German opposition bloc CDU/CSU, Friedrich Merz, said during a speech in the Bundestag: “We must work harder because Ukraine needs money”.

In fact, Merz's words were distorted, as reported by investigative journalists from the German Correctiv. The video fragment that is being distributed online comes from Merz's speech at the vote of confidence on December 16, 2024. In it, he said that Germans need to work harder to strengthen the German economy. Merz did not mention Ukraine in this context. At the same time, in his speech in the Bundestag, Merz spoke of a united will to end Russia's aggressive war as soon as possible.

The CDU and CSU want to support Ukraine with “diplomatic, financial and humanitarian means, as well as arms supplies”, as stated in their election platform for the 2025 Bundestag elections.

With this manipulation, propagandists are trying to convince citizens of European countries that their officials are more concerned about Ukraine than about themselves. Accordingly, in this way, Russia seeks to turn Europeans against supporting Ukraine and influence the reduction of aid.

Previously, we analyzed the Russian manipulation that Ukrainian refugees in Germany would be forcibly returned to Ukraine.