German Support for Ukraine Remains Strong Despite Rising Concerns Over Russian Propaganda

Support for Ukraine continues to hold firm at both government and public levels in Germany, though growing concerns about war escalation and the influence of Russian propaganda are becoming increasingly apparent, according to a leading German security expert.

Margarete Klein, who heads the Research Division for Eastern Europe and Eurasia at the prestigious German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), confirmed that German governmental support for Ukraine has strengthened over time. In comments to Ukrinform, Klein emphasized that solidarity among German society remains high despite mounting challenges.

“The level of solidarity among German society remains high. At the same time, fears of war escalation are growing, particularly due to Russian threats,” Klein noted.

The expert highlighted the concerning impact of Russian propaganda in Germany, explaining its effectiveness stems from tailored messaging that targets specific demographic groups. “Russian propaganda has a noticeable impact in Germany as many people believe what they hear because the propaganda messages are specifically crafted for different groups: the political right, the left, and the older generation,” Klein said.

When questioned about whether Europe should respond to Russia with similar hybrid measures, Klein raised fundamental concerns about both the ethics and practicality of such an approach. She emphasized the West’s commitment to truthful communication rather than disinformation.

“Can we spread disinformation in Russia? Doubtful – it’s not an open society, we don’t have media access there. And we don’t want to stoop to that level, because we stand for a rules-based order,” Klein explained.

She further warned about potential pitfalls in responding to suspected Russian actions without sufficient verification, citing the risk of misattribution. Klein advised that only clearly proven cases of Russian aggression should be highlighted to maintain credibility.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding continued American support for Ukraine presents a complex challenge, according to Klein. This uncertainty creates a dual effect – motivating Europeans to increase their assistance to Ukraine while simultaneously playing into the Kremlin’s strategic objectives.

The expert acknowledged ongoing discussions in the United States about potentially reducing military presence in Germany but expressed confidence that a complete withdrawal of American forces remains unlikely. Klein pointed to the irreplaceable nature of established infrastructure in Europe and Germany’s strategic importance to U.S. interests.

“The question is what signal this sends to Russia. How can credible deterrence be established if the U.S., facing an existential threat to Ukraine as well as hybrid and broader threats against us, does not want to strengthen its presence here? From Russia’s point of view, this is very good,” Klein observed.

Looking ahead to potential diplomatic scenarios, Klein suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach often involves leveraging threats – whether through escalation or withdrawal – to provoke responses from other parties. She theorized that Trump might be able to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiations if Ukraine receives sufficient support to convince Moscow that victory is unattainable and that Russia risks serious domestic consequences from sanctions and military actions.

“But whether Trump would actually do this is unknown,” Klein cautioned.

This assessment comes as Germany plans to increase its defense support for Ukraine to €11.5 billion in 2026, demonstrating Berlin’s ongoing commitment despite the challenging geopolitical landscape.