Germany has set a fine of up to 10,000 euros for carrying knives at Christmas markets. The ban has been in effect since October 31, but does not apply to traders, emergency workers, or fair participants.
At a closed-door meeting, SPD MPs expressed dissatisfaction with Olaf Scholz as a candidate for the election. They propose to replace him with the more popular Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
An exhibition of Western components used by Russia in its weapons against Ukraine was held in Berlin. The exhibition showed that Russia imported chips worth $4 billion despite the sanctions.
Germany will hold new elections on February 23, 2024 due to the collapse of the ruling coalition. Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to ask for a vote of confidence in the Bundestag on December 16.
Friedrich Merz, the main contender for the post of German Chancellor, is preparing an ultimatum to Russia. He plans to provide Ukraine with Taurus missiles in response to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is ready to hold a confidence vote in parliament before Christmas. This decision was made after the collapse of the government coalition and the conflict over budget policy.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was ready to dissolve the Bundestag for early elections in March. A vote of confidence in the Scholz government will be held on January 15 after the passage of key bills.
After the collapse of the Svitlofor coalition, CDU/CSU leaders call for new elections to the Bundestag as soon as possible.
German Chancellor Scholz initiates a confidence vote in the Bundestag on January 15, 2024. The decision comes after a conflict with Finance Minister Lindner over budget policy.
Matthias Mirsch, the new SPD secretary general, expressed support for former Chancellor Schroeder, despite his ties to Putin. Mearsch said he highly appreciates Schroeder's life achievements, although he has a different view of the war in Ukraine.
Berlin warns of large-scale traffic restrictions during the visit of US President Joe Biden. Residents are advised to avoid the city center, and changes in public transportation are expected.
The experts analyzed the Victory Plan presented by President Zelenskyy. They noted the potential benefits for Ukraine, but pointed out the difficulties of implementing some of the points due to the position of Western partners.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for ways to end the war in Ukraine. He also pointed out that Russia is partly responsible for many of the problems of the German economy.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was ready to talk to Putin about peace in Ukraine. He emphasized that he would not make decisions without taking into account Ukraine's position and consulting with partners.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz announces his readiness to supply Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, but under certain conditions. He criticizes the Scholz government for its lack of strategic vision and calls for greater European independence from the United States in helping Ukraine.
The chairman of the Bundestag's defense committee said that the German army needs 35,000 additional soldiers to meet new NATO requirements.
The rating of the “Union of Sarah Wagenknecht” (BSW) in Germany has dropped to 8%, reaching its lowest level since June 23. The CDU/CSU bloc remains the strongest opposition force with 31% support.
For the first time in years, Germany has approved a significant arms deal with Turkey worth about 336 million euros. This includes air defense missiles, torpedoes, and equipment for the modernization of submarines and frigates.
Most of the identified components in Russian weapons come from US and European companies. Parts from four Western manufacturers were found in the wreckage of the Iskander missile that hit Chernihiv.
The Bundestag approved a €400 million increase in funding for military support for Ukraine. The funds will be used to purchase air defense equipment, tanks, drones and ammunition, and €70 million has been allocated for energy restoration.
Members of the Bundestag visited KFI in Kyiv, where they saw evidence of the use of German parts in Russian weapons. The director of the institute emphasized the importance of strengthening sanctions to stop the supply of critical components.
Michael Roth of the SPD called on the German leadership not to cut military aid to Ukraine. He emphasized that the Ukrainian army needs the full support of its most important military ally in Europe.
The German Finance Ministry denied information about the termination of aid to Ukraine in 2025. Part of the bilateral aid will be transferred to international programs, including $50 billion in G7 loans.
The examination showed that the water at the German military base in Cologne was not contaminated. The results of the tests confirmed that the safety thresholds stipulated by German drinking water regulations were not exceeded.
Members of the Bundestag suggest Russia's involvement in incidents at military bases in Germany. The NATO and German air force bases are investigating possible contamination of drinking water.
Oleksandr Serhiy discussed arms supplies and the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with Christian Freuding. The parties reviewed new agreements on equipment samples and joint repair projects.
The acting governor of the Kursk region said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces control 28 settlements in the region. The depth of penetration is 12 km, the width is 40 km, and the fate of about 2,000 people is unknown.
In the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, the Sudzha gas metering station, which supplies gas to the EU, was damaged. Satellite imagery shows the destruction of the administrative building and the site with the measuring equipment.
The head of the Bundestag Defense Committee, Markus Faber, said that the Ukrainian offensive on Kursk weakens Russia's positions in the east. He called for more Leopard 2 tanks to be provided to Ukraine.
The Ukrainian army's offensive on Kursk may change the allies' policy on attacks on Russian territory. Germany and other countries demonstrate support for Ukraine's actions, recognizing its right to self-defense.
