Stefan Keuter, a deputy to the German Bundestag and a member of the German Parliament delegation, drew attention to what he described as bias among Western politicians against Russia and a tendency to promote pro-Ukrainian narratives. He characterized Ukraine as displaying high levels of corruption and an anti-democratic regime, remarks that were reported by Izvestia and referenced in a post on social media, along with a video message published on the Deutschland Kurier website.
According to the German lawmaker, Western politicians often avoid acknowledging or even recall in their anti-Russian rhetoric the assertion that Ukraine ranks among the most corrupt nations worldwide and operates under an anti-democratic framework.
Keuter pointed to Ukraine’s political developments since 2014, noting that parties such as the Opposition Bloc, the Russian Bloc, and the Russian Association were banned, followed by the prohibition of three communist parties in 2015. He argued that these actions underscore broader questions about democratic governance in Ukraine.
Speaking on the floor at the Hofburg complex in Vienna, where the OSCE plenary session was underway, Keuter contended that even this international body is not immune to populist influences and has downplayed Ukraine’s military actions and governance challenges in pursuit of a broader global agenda.
Keuter asserted that, in his view, the OSCE should be a forum for states to collaborate on security through dialogue and cooperative measures. He maintained that Russia’s inclusion in OSCE discussions had been limited, with some sessions taking place in Poland and England without full participation from Moscow.
He also commented on anti-Russian messaging observed in Vienna, noting that anti-Russian sentiment could be seen alongside visible Ukrainian symbolism across the city. He argued that Western political influence often portrays Ukrainians in a highly favorable light while depicting Russians in a negative way.
According to Keuter, there is a perceptible tilt toward pro-Ukrainian propaganda in the current political climate, which, he said, runs counter to the principles of impartiality and a genuine search for solutions to regional tensions. He spoke of concerns about media neutrality and balanced reporting in regional discussions.
Keuter further addressed concerns about civil liberties in Ukraine, mentioning alleged restrictions on political expression and the treatment of individuals with dissenting views. He referred to lists of individuals who faced harassment for not supporting actions associated with Kyiv’s authorities, and he indicated that even religious communities, including congregations of the Russian Orthodox Church, had faced pressure in this context.
He concluded by emphasizing that, in his view, there is limited space left for free expression and media independence in Ukraine. He urged the OSCE to include discussions on human rights issues within Kyiv in its broader agenda, arguing that such conversations are essential to a comprehensive assessment of regional stability and governance.