Berlin wants more defense, no budget hike in EU plan, FT reports
Germany aims to increase domestic military spending in response to Russia’s ongoing threat and amid calls by U.S. President Donald Trump for Europe to shoulder more of its own defense.
Germany
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces 'gradually pushing back' Russian troops from Sumy Oblast, Zelensky says
Key developments on June 12: * Ukrainian forces 'gradually pushing back' Russian troops from Sumy Oblast, Zelensky says * Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles * Ukraine, Russia carry out another exchange of POWs under Istanbul deal * 'Juicy target' — Ukraine says it struck Russian electronics
Germany to supply new Iris-T air defense systems to Ukraine, rules out Taurus missiles
Germany will deliver new IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine under a three-year supply plan, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a joint press conference with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who said Berlin has no plans to provide Taurus long-range missiles.
German Defense Minister Pistorius arrives in Ukraine to discuss military aid
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on June 12 to meet Ukrainian leaders and discuss future defense support, DPA news agency reported.
EU, Germany boost Ukraine's energy efficiency fund with 18 million euros
The EU provided 13 million euros ($15 million) of the new funding, while Germany's International Climate Initiative (IKI) provided 5 million euros ($5.7 million).
Russia doubts NATO's Article 5, could use 'little green men' to test it, German intelligence chief warns
"They don't need to send tanks for that," German intelligence chief Bruno Kahl told Table Media. "They just have to send 'little green men' to Estonia to defend the allegedly oppressed Russian minority."
Germany plans expansion of air raid shelters amid growing Russian threats, official says
"We must quickly create space for 1 million people," Ralph Tiesler, the head of the Germany's Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance told Suddeutsche Zeitung. "Existing structures must be assessed and adapted without delay."
Trump offers Germany US gas deals, but no promises on Ukraine aid or Russia sanctions
When asked whether Trump would impose additional sanctions on Russia, the president dodged the question by boasting that he "ended Nord Stream 2" and hinting at future energy deals with Germany in a press conference with Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Using Russian assets for Ukraine aid needs 'closer look,' German official says
Top German official Thorsten Frei said in an interview with German media on May 31 that the EU should reconsider using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine, urging a tougher stance against the Kremlin.
Western hesitation continues to undermine Ukraine
On May 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Germany and met with the country’s new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. There were high expectations that Berlin would finally authorize the delivery of Taurus long-range missiles — a long-standing request from Kyiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion. However, this demand had been
Russia ‘testing’ Europe’s capacity to help Ukraine by intensifying air attacks
As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes countrywide, all eyes are on Europe’s capacity to continue supporting Ukraine, with the future of U.S. military aid growing ever more uncertain. Ukraine should have enough air defense missiles despite the persisting shortage to avoid the worst of the
Infighting around EU rearmament undermines grand ambitions for European defense
Despite grand plans, the European Union’s hoped-for rearmament remains fully dependent on member nations stepping up their own defenses. In March, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an 800-million-euro "Rearm Europe" plan to build out a defense architecture that has depended on the U.S. since the
NATO reportedly wants 40,000 more German troops for defense against Russia
The alliance's overall demand for the number of brigades provided by member states could go from 80 to between 120 and 130, an undisclosed senior official told Reuters.
Taurus missiles for Ukraine 'within the realm of possibility,' Germany's Merz says
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28 that a potential delivery of Taurus cruise missiles for Ukraine is not being ruled out, but did not provide further details.
Ukraine war latest: Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul
* Moscow proposes next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on June 2 in Istanbul * Ukrainian drones hit Russian cruise missile factory, SBU source says, in one of largest reported strikes of full-scale war * 11 more Ukrainian Children rescued from Russian-occupied territories, Yermak's advisor says * 'We'll know in two weeks' if Putin serious
Germany pledges 5 billion euros in new aid to Ukraine, no Taurus missiles announced
The agreement includes direct German investments in Ukraine's defense industry and a broader treaty between Kyiv and German arms manufacturers.
Germany to do 'everything' to prevent Nord Stream 2 restart, Merz says
The German government will "do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28.
Germany to help finance Ukrainian-made long-range systems
Germany and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on the joint purchase of "long-range fires" manufactured by Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 28.
Zelensky arrives in Germany for talks with Merz amid Taurus missile speculation
The two leaders are expected to discuss Germany's military assistance and ceasefire efforts, a German government spokesperson said.
If Germany sends Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Russia has a major Crimean Bridge problem
Latest: Germany pledges 5 billion euros in new aid to Ukraine, no Taurus missiles announced A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles. "There are no
Decision on lifting range restrictions on arms for Ukraine made months ago, Germany's Merz clarifies
"In this respect, yesterday in Berlin, I described something that has been happening for months: namely, that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives, even beyond its own borders, against military targets on Russian territory," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
Germany may send Ukraine older PAC-2 missiles for Patriot air defenses, WP reports
A European diplomat in Kyiv said that Berlin plans to send older PAC-2 Patriot missiles, which are less effective at intercepting ballistic missiles than the newer PAC-3s.
Zelensky to visit Germany for talks with Merz, Der Spiegel reports
The meeting comes as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz seeks to promote European efforts to initiate further technical-level peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
West no longer imposing range restrictions on arms for Ukraine, Germany's Merz says
"This means that Ukraine can now defend itself, for example, by attacking military facilities in Russia," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said. "Until recently, it couldn’t do that, and apart from very few exceptions, it hadn’t done so either."
Germany sets 2029 deadline to fully arm military amid fears of Russian threat, Reuters reports
NATO is expected to ask Berlin to at least quadruple its air defense systems, ranging from long-range platforms such as the Patriot to short-range interceptors, according to Reuters.
'Putin is not interested in peace' — German FM calls for additional sanctions following large-scale Russian attack on Ukraine
"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is not interested in peace, he wants to continue this war, and we must not allow this, which is why the European Union will agree on additional sanctions," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on May 25.
EU to sanction Nord Stream 2 pipeline as Russia rejects Ukraine ceasefire, Bloomberg reports
The EU is close to restricting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in a new round of sanctions as Russia refuses a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, Bloomberg reported.
German company shipped restricted technology to Russia despite EU sanctions, Politico reports
According to the report, Kontron used the Slovenian entity to ship over 3.5 million euro ($3.9 million) worth of telecommunications equipment to its Russian subsidiary, Iskra Technologies, between July and November 2023.
EU coordinating next Russia sanctions with US, Germany says
Washington's participation in a potential sanctions package would be "very central," German government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius said.
Europe 'far from' discussing foreign troop deployment to Ukraine, Merz says
"There is no reason to talk about (troops) at the moment, we are far from that. We want the weapons to stop, the killing to end," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
EU prepares sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet, German FM says
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Germany and its allies are responding to hybrid threats in the Baltic region with increased patrols and renewed pressure on Russia's covert shipping operations.
Syria reportedly ends currency printing deal with Russia, eyes UAE, Germany for new banknotes
As sanctions against Syria ease, the new leadership is seeking deeper ties with Arab and Western countries, ending its reliance on Moscow.
(Updated: )
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