The former Russian president, Medvedev, likened Friedrich Merz, who may become the next chancellor of Germany, to Joseph Goebbels, the notorious Nazi propagandist. In the meantime, Moscow has labeled an additional German political group as "undesirable."

"Even though you haven’t seized power yet, you’re already lying like Goebbels," wrote Dmitry Medvedev, a former Russian president and prime minister, on Telegram on Thursday. He compared Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become Germany’s next chancellor, to the Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels. Joseph Goebbels .

Medvedev, who held the position of Russian President for one term from 2008 to 2012 and now serves as the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, commented on remarks made by Merz during a discussion in the German parliament about military expenditures. In his statement, Merz asserted that Russia’s aggression extended beyond Ukraine to encompass all of Europe.

Merz stated that Russia's conflict constitutes "an assault on our nation as well, occurring daily through assaults on our digital infrastructure, the sabotage of essential services, acts of arson, targeted assassinations, espionage targeting our military installations, along with misinformation efforts."

Medvedev contextualized these comments within World War II, stating: "Nazi Germany launched such an attack on us between 1941 and 1945. We are aware of the outcome. Poor beginning, Fritz! Let’s hope your endeavor concludes similarly."

At home, the Kremlin frames its aggressive campaign against Ukraine as a defensive struggle against the aggregated "West." It seeks to depict this conflict as an extension of World War II, referred to in Russia as the Great Patriotic War—a crucial element of the nation’s self-perception and identity.

Medvedev was born in 1965, twenty years after the conclusion of the Second World War and the self-inflicted death of Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propagandist who dedicated his life to condemning "unacceptable" individuals, groups, and artworks that contradicted Nazi racial doctrines.

The German Council on Foreign Relations deemed it as 'undesirable.'

In the meantime, as we look back at 2025, the prosecutor general in Moscow announced on Thursday that the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) was labeled as an "unwelcome" entity. The accusation alleged that this prestigious think tank had been providing backing for both military and economic assistance to Ukraine along with imposing sanctions targeting Moscow.

Labeling something as "undesirable" effectively amounts to prohibiting all activities within Russia, and Russian citizens involved with these groups may face prosecution.

"The German Foreign Ministry stated on social media that [President Vladimir] Putin keeps isolating Russia further," and added that they will keep supporting independent research and academic exchanges within the country.

Other German entities labeled as "unacceptable" Among those affected by measures taken by the Kremlin following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 are the German Historical Institute in Moscow and the German Association for East European Studies.

Moscow compelled Sport.bangjo.co.id to shut down its bureau in the city in 2022.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

Author: Matt Ford (with Reuters, dpa)