Friedrich Merz
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to London to attend a meeting of the coalition of the willing, co-chaired by Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz. The coalition aims to unite countries to protect the peace agreement in Ukraine.
European leaders, including Finnish President Alexander Stubb and European Council President António Costa, expressed full support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his conversation with Donald Trump. They reaffirmed military, financial, and diplomatic assistance, as well as security guarantees for Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Ukraine has Europe's full support on its path to peace. He emphasized the importance of creating a realistic peace plan after the meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will urge the EU to use frozen Russian assets to provide Ukraine with a loan of 140 billion euros. This funding is intended to support Ukraine's war efforts.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stated that work on using frozen Russian assets is ongoing. She noted that the EU aims to act quickly but has 27 member states with different concerns, so the process takes time.
The leaders of Great Britain, France, and Germany have reached an agreement on using frozen Russian assets to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This decision will be implemented in cooperation with the United States.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz. They discussed new Russian attacks on Ukraine, the supply of Patriot systems, and the expansion of the PURL program.
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) called the EU's plans to ban the sale of internal combustion engine cars from 2035 "very tough. " It called for measures that would give manufacturers greater flexibility, warning that current plans are based on outdated assumptions.
The German cabinet has approved a law allowing police to shoot down drones that violate airspace, including in cases of acute threat. This decision was made after drone incidents at airports, particularly in Munich, and an increase in the number of air traffic violations.
Belgium is facing increasing pressure to allow the use of frozen Russian assets for a “reparation loan” to Ukraine. This comes after a shift in position by Berlin and other Western capitals, which now support the idea.
Polish and Baltic officials sharply reacted to statements by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who, in their opinion, partially blamed them for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Merkel pointed to the refusal of Eastern European countries to engage in direct negotiations with Putin in 2021.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports a return to compulsory military service in the long term. For now, he supports the voluntary model proposed by Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
President Zelenskyy met with the leaders of Denmark, France, Germany, and Poland in Copenhagen. They discussed violations of Russian airspace, the creation of a joint air shield, and security guarantees.
At the summit in Copenhagen, EU leaders discussed the use of frozen Russian assets to finance aid to Ukraine. A decision is expected at the European Council meeting on October 23-24.
The European Commission is urging EU countries to provide tax incentives for investment accounts to attract 10 trillion euros of Europeans' savings. This is part of an effort to deepen capital markets and provide companies with opportunities for growth.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated at the Ecosystem Summit in Berlin on September 26 that peace in the Federal Republic of Germany can no longer be discussed. He listed actions that concerned him, including drone flights, espionage, and cyberattacks, and also highlighted the war in Ukraine as an attempt to shift borders by military force in Europe.
The European Commission proposes that EU member states use sanctioned Russian funds to finance a new €140 billion loan for Ukraine. This loan will be issued in tranches and used for defense cooperation and to support Ukraine's budgetary needs.
European partners are ready to provide Ukraine with an interest-free loan of almost 140 billion euros, which will be repaid only after Russia compensates for the damages. The funds are intended exclusively for Ukraine's military purposes and will ensure its defense capability for several years.
Germany supports the EU plan to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. Berlin is open to legally sound options for using 172 billion euros to support Ukraine.
The pro-Russian party "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) has for the first time become the most popular political force in the country, overtaking German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's party by 1%. Support for the AfD stood at 26% of voters, while the CDU/CSU was supported by 25%.
The European Commission is developing plans to use frozen Russian assets to provide €170 billion in reparations loans to Ukraine. These plans involve transferring Russian cash to Ukraine without formally seizing the assets.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged Europe not to let Russia dictate the terms of a peace agreement in Ukraine, warning of further aggressive actions by Putin. He emphasized that Germany is strengthening its resilience and defense capabilities to prevent the destabilization of society.
Donald Trump sent a personal letter to Polish President Karol Nawrocki through the Polish embassy in Washington. The text of the document has not been disclosed, but the letter has already reached Poland through diplomatic channels.
New Polish President Karol Nawrocki, during a visit to Berlin on September 16, will again demand that Germany pay reparations for World War II. This demand could negatively affect relations between Warsaw and Berlin, while European countries need unity in the face of the threat from Russia.
The President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, has allowed for the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine to monitor a truce with Russia. This requires the support of the majority of UN member states to ensure lasting peace.
Poland is restricting air traffic in the east of the country along the borders with Belarus and Ukraine from September 10 to December 9. The flight ban is in effect due to the detection of 16 Russian drones on Polish territory.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the invasion of Polish airspace by Russian drones was a deliberate provocation by the Kremlin. He emphasized the need for a significant improvement in NATO's air defense.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that the war in Ukraine requires the EU to be ready for defense. Lithuania invests 4% of its GDP in defense, expecting greater EU participation in security programs.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Putin's imperialistic plans will not be limited to Ukraine. He called on European allies to seek new partnerships due to changing relations with the United States.
German Greens accuse the Merz coalition of obstructing the allocation of 4. 5 billion euros to Ukraine. This issue escalated during the budget session, when the Greens' proposal for additional funds was rejected.