Germany
France has postponed the G7 summit by one day to avoid coinciding with Donald Trump's 80th birthday and a UFC tournament at the White House. The event will take place on June 15-17, 2026, in Évian-les-Bains.
Cypriot authorities are investigating a video on the X network that questions the funding of President Nikos Christodoulides' campaign. Law enforcement classifies this as a hybrid disinformation operation by the Russian Federation aimed at undermining the state's reputation.
Ukrainian luger Andriy Mandziy won the Nations Cup in Winterberg, taking gold in the singles luge. This victory was Mandziy's second award this season.
EU countries have supported a trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc, paving the way for its signing next week. The agreement, which concludes 25 years of negotiations, will create an integrated market with 780 million consumers.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the appointment of Anka Feldhusen as the new business ombudsperson. She will assume office on February 1, 2026.
Trump's team is preparing potential deals to strengthen US influence in Greenland, including mineral extraction. Denmark, which controls the island, refuses to sell but offers to strengthen the US military and economic presence.
French farmers have blocked roads to Paris and landmarks, protesting against the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. They demand an end to government policies destroying cattle herds.
European governments, concerned about Donald Trump's intentions regarding Greenland, are considering four strategies to counter them. These include seeking a compromise, financial injections, an economic response, and the deployment of ground forces.
In Erkrath, unknown individuals attempted to set fire to a transformer at a power substation, but the attack failed. The substation continued to operate without interruption.
France, together with its partners, is developing an action plan in case the US carries out its threat to seize Greenland. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot will discuss this issue with the ministers of Germany and Poland.
President of the European Council António Costa stated that the security guarantees agreement is a key step towards achieving a just peace in Ukraine. He also emphasized that Ukraine's accession to the EU is an important security guarantee.
A clear US commitment to support Ukraine has been removed from the text of the joint statement adopted in Paris. Instead, the US commits to supporting forces in the event of an attack and providing intelligence and logistical assistance.
Ukrainian negotiators, led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, held consultations in Paris with national security advisors from France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Turkey, with the participation of the US, NATO, the European Commission, and the European Council. The parameters of security guarantees, deterring Russian aggression, and the logic of further steps in the peace process were discussed.
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland will hold a meeting in Paris. The main topic of discussion will be support for Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed lawmakers that President Trump plans to buy Greenland. The White House stated that the use of the American military is an option for acquiring the territory.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to ensure that young Ukrainian men perform military service in their country. This will prevent them from leaving for Germany, Poland, or France.
G7 foreign ministers will hold a conference call tonight. The discussion will focus on Venezuela and Ukraine.
Germany could have a presence in a NATO country bordering Ukraine a year after any future ceasefire, Merz says.
The summit of the Coalition of the Willing has begun at the Élysée Palace. French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, along with 30 other officials, are attending the event.
A number of European leaders have signed a statement warning the US that they "will not stop defending" Greenland's territorial integrity. The document states that the US is an "important partner" in Arctic security.
Representatives from 35 countries will meet in Paris for a summit on security guarantees for Ukraine. This will be preceded by a reception for French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner.
In a confidential OPLAN document, the German Ministry of Defense views Russia's intensified covert attacks on critical infrastructure as a prelude to a large-scale armed confrontation. German intelligence predicts that Russia aims to develop strategic capabilities for a full-scale war against NATO by 2029.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of a humanitarian energy catastrophe in Ukraine due to Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure. He emphasized that Russia's actions bear the hallmarks of war crimes, and lasting peace is only possible with effective security guarantees for Ukraine.
On January 2, the Peresypsky District Court of Odesa chose a pre-trial detention measure in the form of detention without bail for the organizer of a transnational drug supply channel. The value of one batch of cocaine, which was planned to be imported weekly, exceeded 200 thousand US dollars.
An ex-MP, suspected of stock market manipulation and legalizing over UAH 20 million, has been detained in Germany. He was declared internationally wanted in October 2024 after a preventive measure was chosen.
The head of a unit of KP "Kyivteplokomunenergo" has been served with a suspicion notice after a 16-year-old girl fell into an unfenced pit of boiling water. The victim sustained burns to 73% of her body and was transported to Germany for treatment.
The European Commission plans to introduce digital infrastructure laws in 2026. The goal is to reduce the EU's dependence on foreign technology companies, which could lead to a conflict with Washington.
On Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi on January 5, the air temperature was -14°C. Cloudy weather and a southwest wind of 10 m/s were recorded.
In 2025, the number of initial asylum applications in Germany decreased by 51% compared to 2024, reaching 113,236 applications. This is explained by increased border controls, the suspension of family reunification, and a change of regime in Syria, as well as a 20% increase in deportations.
On January 5, most of the western and northern regions of Ukraine will be under the influence of high atmospheric pressure with no precipitation. A southern cyclone will bring rain to the south and snow to the central regions, Donetsk, Luhansk, Chernivtsi regions, and the Carpathians.