Saxony premier urges Ukraine talks ahead of key poll in German state

Michael Kretschmer, premier of the eastern German state of Saxony, repeated a call for talks to end the war in Ukraine on Monday, just two weeks before state elections in which the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is predicted to make gains.

Kretschmer, a member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which is in opposition at the federal level, described the war as "a tragic development in which many were dying every day."

He recently backed a federal decision to cut spending on arms for Ukraine as it fights off the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022.

Kretschmer said Germany should have played a mediating role in line with past policies instead of backing Ukraine with arms and training. He criticized Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the Greens for her staunch support of Ukraine's government and military.

According to recent media reports, Germany will radically cut military support to Ukraine next year on the assumption that seized Russian assets can be used instead.

The CDU and AfD are both polling at around 30% ahead of the September 1 elections in Saxony, with the three parties in the centre-left federal coalition trailing well behind.

The AfD, whose strongly anti-migration policies are rejected by the established parties, has tended to a line showing greater understanding for the Russian position. Party member boycotted a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the federal parliament in June.

Kretschmer's line on Ukraine diverges from that of CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who called for stronger support for Ukraine, including the supply of combat jets in an interview with German national public broadcaster ARD last month.