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Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz
Friedrich Merz was elected German chancellor in May 2025, becoming the country’s 10th chancellor since World War II.
Ukrainian servicemen prepare targets with images depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Zelensky floats referendum on territory, as US pressure mounts to end war

Ukraine’s president says Russia wants ‘the whole of Donbas’ in return for peace, but Ukrainians must have their say.

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Ukraine war

Proposals on territorial concessions by Ukraine sent to Trump: Merz

Ukraine war

Ukraine sends US a revised peace plan as Trump blasts European allies

Ukraine war

European allies back Ukraine’s Zelensky after Trump criticism

Ukrainian president met leaders in London and Brussels, declaring that ceding territory to Russia - a central point of the US proposal - was impossible.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street in London. Photo: AP
Britain

‘Follow me’: UK’s Starmer launches TikTok account despite security ban

Prime minister’s office insists ‘security mitigations’ are in place as he turns to the popular Chinese-owned app for greater outreach.

China-Germany relations

German foreign minister calls for end to ‘uncertainty’ on Chinese rare earths, chips

Critical minerals, semiconductors and other commodities dominate talks as Johann Wadephul begins trip to China aimed at addressing trade.

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China-EU relations

Opinion | In reaching out to China, European states can’t keep acting alone

The idea of an autonomous bloc engaging Beijing from a position of strength and independence collapses when its toothless leaders visit.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Israel-Gaza war

Trump UN envoy, EU chief in Jordan to discuss Gaza aid as Israel eyes next phase

Diplomatic visits to Jordan came as Israeli PM Netanyahu says the second phase of the US-sponsored ceasefire could begin soon.

China-Germany relations

Why top German diplomat’s China trip aims to manage rivalry but won’t reset ties

Critical minerals and Ukraine war expected to be top priorities as Germany’s foreign minister travels to China.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky holds ‘very substantive’ call with Trump envoys

The president’s negotiators are in Florida for talks on a US-led plan to end the war with Russia.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is seen in Kyiv on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
China manufacturing

Germany’s China playbook: if you can’t beat them, partner up

More than half of surveyed German firms plan deeper ties with local partners in China to match the rapid innovation cycles of domestic competitors, the German Chamber of Commerce has found.

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Robot arms are seen at work on a car production line at a factory of FAW-Volkswagen in eastern China’s Shandong province on March 12. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Zelensky reinforces European support as he eyes Trump talks on US deal

Ukrainian president met Macron in Paris to sound out allies on the US blueprint for peace, which was drafted without input from Kyiv or Europe.

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European Union

Opinion | Stumbling Germany needs a clear strategy on China

Berlin must ditch the fantasy that it can profit without strategic risks, stop acting like a junior partner and decide what it stands for.

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China-EU relations

German foreign minister in ‘last stages of coordinating’ trip to China

Johann Wadephul also states he backs a speedier form of de-risking and diversifying away from Beijing’s stronghold on critical minerals.

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is “confident” of rescheduled trip soon, after October visit was hastily cancelled. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Ukraine and Russia exchange deadly strikes as negotiators race to refine deal

Hundreds of drones fired as negotiators thrash out changes to a US peace plan by Trump’s November 27 deadline.

An explosion of a Russian drone in the sky over Kyiv, Ukraine on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

‘Issues remain’: US-Ukraine talks advance, but Europe cautious on Russia deal

Trump hails ‘big progress’ in talks, while Germany confirms US plan was modified with Nato and territorial demands removed.

China-Germany relations

Premier Li Qiang urges Germany to be ‘rational and pragmatic’ on China policy

Meeting between Li and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on G20 sidelines marks a step towards mending ties.

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Ukraine war

US and Ukraine refine draft of peace plan under Trump deadline pressure

Talks on a 28-point proposal to end Russia’s war held in Geneva after Trump set a Thursday deadline for Ukraine to approve the plan.

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Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio talk to the press in Geneva, Switzerland on Sunday. Photo: Keystone via AP
Ukraine war

Ukraine weighs dignity against US demands in Swiss peace talks to end Russia war

Trump’s controversial 28-point peace plan places territorial concessions and military limits on Kyiv, while also pledging never to join Nato.

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China-EU relations

Europe refuses to be tech ‘vassal’ of China and US, France’s Macron says

The French leader made a push for prioritising domestic players in the sector to counter ‘Chinese exclusivity’ and ‘American preference’.

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China-Germany relations

Germany courts China as rare earths stoke economic woes

Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil sought assurances on rare earth supplies from China in a bid to ease one of the challenges weighing down Germany’s sluggish economy.

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (center left) and China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng (center right). Photo: AFP
Germany

In policy reversal, Germany to lift restrictions on Israeli arms exports

The decision was based on a stabilised ceasefire with Hamas, and the flow of humanitarian aid, a government spokesman said.

An Israeli Merkava tank manoeuvres towards the southern Gaza Strip border near Khan Younis in May. Photo: EPA-EFE
China-EU relations

EU recalibrates on China as it seeks rare earths breakthrough

Official sources say Brussels is in ‘de-escalation mode’ as it tries to convince Beijing to issue more export licences for critical minerals.

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China-EU relations

Germany to ban China’s Huawei from future 6G network

Chancellor Friedrich Merz says he and France’s Macron will discuss how to gain independence from China and the US, as well as big tech firms.

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China-Germany relations

Germany must work with China to build trust after relations turned frosty: expert

Berlin’s foreign policy is bogged down by specifics and lacks vision, observer says.

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has put Beijing offside, making pointed remarks about Taiwan and voicing criticism about Beijing. Photo: EPA
China-EU relations

EU sanctions state-linked Chinese oil companies over Russia war support

Beijing slams latest punishment ensnaring 15 entities, reiterating it ‘has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict’.

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Oil pumpjacks outside Almetyevsk, Russia, on July 14. The EU accused the newly sanctioned refineries of processing Russian-origin crude oil that provides revenue to the Kremlin’s war effort against Ukraine. Photo: Reuters
Ukraine war

Trump to meet Zelensky as Ukraine hopes for peace deal after Gaza ceasefire

Ukrainian president to hold talks withTrump in Washington on Friday to discuss air defence, long-range weapons and ending Russia’s invasion.

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My Take

My Take | The times of giants are gone and a new ‘century of humiliation’ awaits Europe

China has mistakenly thought the European Union could play a greater and more independent role in world affairs, not necessarily to tilt towards Beijing but to stop being a lapdog to Washington.

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