The German newspaper Frankfurter Rundschau reported that comments made by a German student during a live broadcast about Russian President Vladimir Putin on a TV talk show caused a major scandal in Germany.

A 19-year-old student from Hanover said on the program “Die 100 – Was Deutschland bewegt” (The 100 – What Moves Germany) on ARD channel during a discussion about compulsory military service in Germany: “I don’t want to serve in the army. I will not go to defend Germany. If I had to choose between fighting for Germany or under Putin’s command, I would choose Putin.”

The student pointed out that the conflict with Russia has brought no benefit to the Ukrainians.

According to the newspaper, the young man’s words caused frustration among the show’s hosts and angered the audience, prompting the hosts to change the subject and begin emphasizing the necessity of military reform.

The newspaper described the incident in one phrase: “A scandal on ARD’s political program.”

Last week, the Bild newspaper reported, citing sources, that the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union parliamentary group blocked discussion of a new bill in the Bundestag regarding voluntary service, as this group intends to reinstate compulsory military service in the German army following statements by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about the lack of peace.

According to Bild, one reason for the ongoing debate about the bill is that an increasing number of politicians in the group are demanding the return of mandatory military service as part of the reform, while the Social Democratic Party and its defense minister Boris Pistorius insist on a voluntary system.