23:34

Diplomacy and trade

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledge deeper trade ties and fairer market access

Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed on Wednesday in Beijing to strengthen economic cooperation while addressing trade imbalances, market access concerns, and the war in Ukraine, during Merz’s first official visit to China since taking office.

10:08

European Union

EU: Bureaucratic giant or geopolitical player?

Despite its economic might, the European Union is often labelled a “geopolitical dwarf.” The only region where it acts as an indisputable player, able to assert its will with relative ease, is the Western Balkans, along with parts of Eastern Europe.

12:03

MSC 2026

'Putin cannot let go of war,' Ukraine's President Zelenskyy warns in Munich speech

“Real security guarantees are needed before the war ends,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday (14 February), warning that Russian aggression shows no sign of relenting.

23:30

Germany

Germany’s Merz says EU must build partnerships with Türkiye, India, Brazil

Europe needs to develop global partnerships with key nations to tackle global problems together, chancellor tells Munich Security Conference

15:57

European Unity

Germany's Merz says Europe has found “self-respect,” calls for stronger NATO within continent

“For some weeks now, we have been seeing with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday (29 January), declaring that Europe had found “self-respect” in standing up for a rules-based global order.

14:44

Allegations Denied

German Chancellery responds to claims Friedrich Merz filed hundreds of criminal complaints

Germany’s Federal Chancellery has addressed allegations that the current Chancellor Friedrich Merz filed hundreds of criminal complaints for defamatory remarks and insults against him in the years before he took office.

17:24

India-Germany

Friedrich Merz: India and Germany cement defence, economic ties during visit

India and Germany have agreed a range of deals to deepen cooperation between the two nations, with defence, trade and technology high on the agenda.

04:17

Criminal complaints

Germany's Chancellor Merz files criminal complaints over online insults

A Welt am Sonntag investigation, published in December 2025, has caused a stir in Germany, revealing that Chancellor Friedrich Merz initiated nearly 5,000 criminal complaints over online insults directed at him since 2021.

09:57

Paris talks

Paris talks deliver U.S. backing for Ukraine, European concerns remain

European countries and the United States presented a united front in support of Ukraine, unveiling security guarantees backed by Washington and a detailed plan for long-term assistance contingent on a ceasefire with Russia.

13:50

Ukraine

Europe faces crucial decisions on Ukraine funding and peace terms

As Europe grapples with how to best support Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russian aggression, key meetings in Brussels and Berlin are testing the continent's resolve.

19:37

Ukraine peace plan

Ukraine drops NATO goal as Trump envoy sees progress in peace talks

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered to drop Ukraine's aspirations to join the NATO military alliance as he held five hours of talks with U.S. envoys in Berlin on Sunday to end the war with Russia, with negotiations set to continue on Monday.

16:07

Berlin talks

View: Possible outcomes of Witkoff-Zelenskyy talks in Berlin

The upcoming meeting in Berlin between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and European officials is set to focus on advancing a proposed peace framework, though analysts warn reaching a deal may be difficult.

13:06

Ukraine peace plan

Ukraine's peace plan at 'critical moment' after European leaders and Trump call

The leaders of Britain, France and Germany held a call with U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (10 December) to discuss Washington's latest peace efforts to end the war in Ukraine, in what they said was a "critical moment" in the process.

20:48

EU- Ukraine

View: European unity key as Ukraine prepares revised peace plan

Ukraine is set to present a revised 20-point peace plan to the United States today, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and key European leaders work to steer Washington’s ceasefire framework away from concessions they fear could lock in Russian territorial gains.

01:02

Russia-Ukraine

Germany’s Merz tells Washington Russian frozen assets must go to Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday (4 December) firmly rejected U.S. proposals to use Russian assets frozen in the European Union for the benefit of the United States, emphasising that these funds should be directed to support Ukraine.

21:37

Azerbaijan-Germany

German Chancellor Merz invites President Ilham Aliyev to visit Germany amid bilateral talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made a call to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to discuss the development prospects of bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Germany.

20:52

Ukraine peace talks

Merz says no breakthrough expected this week on Ukraine peace talks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that despite recent progress in discussions over a revised U.S. peace plan for Ukraine, a major diplomatic breakthrough is unlikely this week.

00:08

Germany

Germany calls for stronger European unity amid global threats

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that the European Union must transform into a European defence union amid growing international security challenges.

07:10

Germany-Syria

Germany invites Syrian president for talks on deportations

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that Germany plans to deport Syrian citizens with criminal records and has invited Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Berlin for talks on the issue.

01:54

EU drive

Merz, Macron, Meloni urge new EU drive to cut red tape

The leaders of 19 European Union nations have called on the bloc to launch a renewed effort to “review, reduce and restrain” legislation in order to boost economic competitiveness, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

23:29

World News

Germany’s Merz warns of prolonged Ukraine conflict

Germany’s Merz: Ukraine war could last for a long time

17:24

Germany on Russia-Ukraine

Russia must no longer be able to wage war economically, says Germany's Merz

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Saturday told a state party conference that Russia will only stop its war in Ukraine when it is unable to continue economically, and possibly militarily.

11:33

E3 and Iran

France, Germany and Britain are likely to trigger UN sanctions on Iran amid nuclear concerns

Britain, France and Germany are likely to trigger United Nations sanctions on Iran on Thursday over its nuclear programme according to sources, while giving Tehran 30 days to make commitments. Inspectors have returned for the first time since June, as talks have yet to yield concrete agreements.

08:16

Friedrich Merz

Merz urges UK, Germany, and France to unite on migration and defence

Germany, and the UK hailed a major treaty to deepen ties in many areas ranging from defence to immigration. It's the latest push from Britain to reset relations with the European Union after Brexit in 2020. It comes after a recent treaty between France and the UK was signed last week.