Ukraine ambassador backs decision to classify AfD as extremist

Ukraine's ambassador to Germany, Oleksii Makeiev, has come out in favour of the domestic intelligence agency's designation of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a confirmed "right-wing extremist" organization.

While as a diplomat, he respects all Germany's domestic decisions, the decision by the domestic intelligence agency regarding the AfD "deserves particular respect," Makeiev told dpa on Saturday.

He expressed concern at the fact that the AfD does not "clearly condemn the brutal Russian war of aggression" and instead seeks friendship with Russia.

"Russians rape, torture and murder. The AfD plays down, relativizes and denies this," he said.