Germany

Six North Sea countries have signed an agreement to ensure common security standards to protect critical underwater infrastructure, such as energy pipelines and cables, from foreign sabotage and attack.

Lithuania calls on NATO allies to urgently shift to a war economy, increasing defense spending to at least 2% of GDP and expanding military production to deter Russia.

Switzerland plans to abandon neutrality and cooperate with NATO allies in the event of Russian aggression to ensure its defense, suspending neutrality and organizing joint defense with partners in the event of an attack.

Swedish and German fighter jets intercept a Russian reconnaissance plane off the Swedish coast after it entered the flight information zone southeast of Blekinge.

Zelenskiy says Germany refuses to provide Ukraine with Taurus cruise missiles, its most powerful weapons system, as Scholz argues that Germany cannot leave itself without them, but Zelenskiy says this will not protect the world from a nuclear threat from Russia.

The EU has sent 167 power generators to Ukraine as emergency aid after Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure severely damaged its power supply.

Six European countries - Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Denmark and Norway - have signed a pact to invest and cooperate in protecting critical infrastructure such as cables and oil and gas installations in the North Sea.

A former Austrian intelligence officer is arrested for large-scale Russian infiltration and espionage activities, revealing a lack of oversight and actions worthy of a spy novel.

NATO's ability to rapidly deploy up to 500,000 troops to its eastern borders in response to Russian aggression depends on overcoming obstacles such as bureaucracy and fragile rail infrastructure, especially in Germany.

According to BILD's analysis, the German government's announcement of €28 billion in military aid to Ukraine is misleading, as the actual aid provided is much less: only €10. 2 billion of the €28 billion announced has been provided, while the rest is promises and statements for the future.

As of February 2024, 4. 2 million Ukrainians, accounting for 98% of all recipients, have been granted temporary protection in the EU since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

European defense contractors warn that dependence on Chinese cotton lint threatens the expansion of ammunition production, which is needed to replenish stocks and support Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said in an interview that German long-range Taurus missiles would make it easier for Ukrainians to hit important targets and command centers.

German fighter jets intercepted a Russian spy plane flying without a transponder over the Baltic Sea on April 6.

According to the German Ministry of Defense, Russia is likely responsible for persistent disruptions to global navigation satellite systems in the Baltic region, including electromagnetic interference originating in Kaliningrad.

Two German companies, Knauf and WKB Systems, are supplying Russians with construction materials to rebuild occupied Mariupol. Knauf Ukraine has refused to comment on the situation regarding assistance to the occupiers.

International partners have allocated more than $700 million for humanitarian demining projects in Ukraine for 2022-2027, with the United States, Switzerland, Norway, EU countries, Japan, the Netherlands, and Germany among the key donors.

Botswana's President Mokgwetsi Masisi has threatened to send 20,000 wild elephants to Germany in response to the German government's criticism of hunting in the African country. This is also a reaction to a proposal by German officials to restrict the import of hunting trophies.

NATO member states should provide immediate emergency support to Ukraine with air defense systems, missiles and ammunition, and create a long-term, predictable structure, backed by financial commitments, to ensure continued support for Ukraine against Russia's armed aggression.

Zelenskyy instructed diplomats and the military to urgently strengthen the air defense of Kharkiv, Sumy, and southern regions of Ukraine.

At a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Brussels, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed increased military support for Ukraine from allies, including air defense, ammunition and training, but stressed the need for more and stronger assistance to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian invasion.

Germany, as the chair of the Ramstein Air Defense Coalition, is initiating an immediate analysis of all available Patriot and other air defense systems in the world to determine what can be provided to Ukraine.

The Bundeswehr needs an additional 6. 5 billion euros in the 2025 budget to restructure and make it war-ready due to growing threats in Europe.

Negotiations between Poland, the EU, and the relevant associations failed to take the first step toward unblocking the border due to disagreements among Polish associations, some of which opposed the proposed solution at the last minute, despite having initially reached a consensus.

Germany is reorganizing its armed forces to make them fit for war against Russian aggression.

After 3 years, German police solved the murder of Ukrainian cosmetologist Oksana Romberg by analyzing the DNA of her friends, which led to the arrest of a 53-year-old man who beat her to death and robbed her.

A German official has been sentenced to 8 years in prison for sexually abusing Ukrainian refugee boys aged 9 and 11, threatening them with deportation, and making child pornography.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has called on NATO allies to immediately provide more air defense systems, including Patriot systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, and reportedly indicated that the allies have agreed to identify and send additional air defense systems to Ukraine to help protect its skies.

The demolition of Joseph Goebbels' villa near Berlin is being discussed in parliament, with debate centering on whether to preserve its historical and architectural value or demolish it due to high maintenance costs and association with the Nazi propaganda minister.

According to British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, NATO members must urgently increase their defense spending beyond the 2% of GDP target to strengthen defense in the current "pre-war world.