Clear majority of Germans believe far-right AfD too close to Moscow

A clear majority of Germans believe the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is too close to Moscow politically, a poll showed on Friday.

The Politbarometer survey for broadcaster ZDF found that 62% of respondents see the party as too friendly to the Russian leadership, with 28% unconcerned by the issue.

Among supporters of the AfD, Germany's largest opposition party, only 10% believe relations with Moscow are too close, with 87% disagreeing.

The party's ties to Russia have generated controversy in Berlin in recent weeks, with several of the party's lawmakers travelling to Sochi for a conference despite the war in Ukraine.

The recent trip was widely panned by German parties, with conservative lawmaker Martin Huber accusing the AfD of committing "treason."

AfD co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla sought to present a united front on the issue earlier this month after public differences emerged.

Weidel criticized the trip, saying she did not "understand what they're supposed to be doing there."

Meanwhile, Chrupalla has caused unrest within the party over an appearance on a talk show earlier this week, in which he said he currently saw no specific danger to Germany from Russia.

He further said of Russian President Vladimir Putin: "He hasn't done anything to me."