The EU is preparing its 21st sanctions package targeting Russia's shadow fleet, banks, and military-industrial enterprises, with officials believing intensified pressure will weaken Moscow's negotiating position and support Ukraine's strengthened military and political standing.
Germany's foreign minister proposes six reforms enabling faster EU decision-making through enhanced cooperation among willing states, prioritizing Western Balkans enlargement while reducing unanimity requirements that block security policy progress.
Russia, Ukraine trade major attacks ahead of Moscow's Victory Day celebrations
Germany proposes eliminating the EU national veto in foreign policy, replacing it with qualified majority voting for twelve member states, to accelerate crisis response and reduce Hungary's blocking power on sanctions and Ukraine aid.
Germany's far-right AfD party leads polls in Saxony-Anhalt with 41 percent.
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urges the EU to accelerate decision-making through enhanced cooperation and ending unanimity requirements for defense, arguing faster action is essential to compete globally with the US and China.
Germany and Israel unite in calling for Iran to end Gulf war and abandon nuclear weapons.
Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met with German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Athens.
Mitsotakis and German FM urge EU role and de-escalation in the Middle East.
NATO's deterrence is bolstered by Germany's strong defense posture affirmation.
Unidentified projectiles struck a tanker off the UAE while Trump announced US ship escorts through the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Iran to warn such interference would violate ceasefire terms amid ongoing Middle East tensions.
War in the Middle East: latest developments
Trump threatens to pull more US troops from Germany, causing European unease.
Germany urges Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and abandon nuclear ambitions amid escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions, as the waterway carrying 20% of global oil trade becomes a critical pressure point in intensifying geopolitical standoff.
President Trump announced withdrawing 5,000 US troops from Germany, with potential further cuts, deepening transatlantic tensions over Middle East policy and trade disputes as Republican lawmakers express security concerns about signaling weakness to Putin.
President Trump announced withdrawing 5,000 US troops from Germany while potentially cutting further, deepening transatlantic rifts over Middle East policy. NATO and Republican lawmakers expressed concern about signaling weakness to Russia amid European defense spending commitments.
NATO and Republican lawmakers questioned President Trump's decision to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany, citing concerns about deterring Russia and weakening transatlantic security amid escalating trade tensions and Middle East policy disagreements.
The European Union is preparing its 21st sanctions package targeting Russia's shadow fleet, banks, and military-industrial complex, planned for early summer to increase pressure on Putin's economy and force concessions regarding Ukraine.
Yemen's Houthis enter Middle East conflict, fire missiles towards Israel
Russia, Ukraine trade major attacks ahead of Kremlin's WWII celebrations
World leaders meet for various diplomatic visits and events on May 8.
Johann Wadephul calls for a coalition of willing countries to shape German foreign policy.
Ukraine receives updates on military and international developments amid ongoing conflict.
Syria's interim government maintains strategic neutrality in the Iran war, positioning itself as an alternative energy corridor linking Gulf producers to European markets, thereby gaining international reintegration and reconstruction financing while avoiding regional conflict involvement.
Germany plans to significantly expand defence cooperation with Greece, including joint procurement and maritime defence.
Germany's foreign minister says Europe must learn from Ukraine's drone warfare successes to develop its own defense capabilities.
Iran's military warned it would attack US forces entering the Strait of Hormuz after Trump announced "Project Freedom" to escort ships through the blockade, as over 900 vessels remain trapped and oil prices surge fifty percent above pre-conflict levels.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visits Athens for high-stakes talks on regional security and EU coordination.
Iran reviews US response to peace proposal, warns against further military action
Germany's Merz downplays rift with Washington despite US troop drawdown plans.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis meets with EU Defense Commissioner and German Foreign Minister on Monday.
President Trump announced plans to withdraw 5,000 US troops from Germany, with potential further reductions, escalating transatlantic tensions over Middle East policy and defense spending as NATO allies express concern about weakened deterrence against Russia.
Mỹ sẽ rút thêm binh sĩ khỏi Đức, vượt con số 5.000 người.
President Trump announced a withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany, with plans to cut further, deepening transatlantic tensions over Middle East policy and trade disputes while drawing concern from Republican lawmakers about signaling weakness to Russia.
Afghan women's groups warn Germany against normalizing Taliban influence in Europe.
Germany Calls for Immediate Increase in Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
Ukraine war briefing: Distant strike on Russian missile ship in Caspian Sea
Trump's troop cuts in Europe could be blocked by Congress - here’s how he might get around it
Johann Wadephul demands fundamental EU reform and an end to veto rights.
Germany and Israel enter a new phase of security cooperation, says Minister Wadephul.
Under Chancellor Merz, Germany is repositioning itself as a Baltic Sea security leader through increased defense spending and military strategy emphasizing Russian threats, fundamentally shifting from decades of military restraint following Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion.
Trump signaled deeper US troop cuts from Germany beyond the Pentagon's announced five thousand, escalating tensions with Berlin over Iran policy and prompting bipartisan concerns about weakening NATO deterrence against Russia.
German Foreign Minister Wadephul seeks closer dialogue with the US following Trump's announcement to drastically reduce American troops in Germany beyond the initially planned 5,000-troop withdrawal, while Germany accelerates military capability development.
Trump warns of US troop withdrawal from Germany exceeding 5,000.
Germany urged Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and abandon nuclear ambitions amid US-Israel-Iran escalation, while Israel strikes Lebanon's healthcare infrastructure and discovers Hezbollah weapons, intensifying regional conflict with humanitarian consequences.
Iran weighs US response to peace plan after warning against military action
On May 3, the US and Iran escalated rhetoric over stalled peace negotiations, with Iran's Revolutionary Guards warning America faces military action or a poor deal, while Israel ordered evacuations in southern Lebanon and accused Hezbollah of ceasefire violations, threatening the fragile truce's collapse.
President Trump announced withdrawal of 5,000 US troops from Germany, signaling deeper cuts ahead, as tensions escalate over defense spending and Middle East policy disagreements with European NATO allies.
NATO collaborates with the US on withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany amid transatlantic tensions.
President Trump announced withdrawing 5,000 US troops from Germany with plans for deeper cuts, straining transatlantic relations over Middle East policy and defense spending disagreements, while Republican lawmakers warn this weakens deterrence against Russia.