Bild: German soldiers to Ukraine? / Deutsche Soldaten in die Ukraine?
FAZ: Chancellor Merz wants to travel to Washington with Zelensky / Kanzler Merz will mit Selenskyj nach Washington reisen
Funke: Senator for building rejects rent freeze / Bausenator lehnt Mietenstopp ab
Handelsblatt: Europeans struggle over security guarantees / Europäer ringen um Sicherheitsgarantien
RND: Just no new fiasco: Merz and von der Leyen support Zelensky with Trump / Bloß kein neues Fiasko: Merz und von der Leyen unterstützen Selenskyj bei Trump
SZ: Europe gathers for counter-summit / Europa kommt zum Gegengipfel
Tagesspiegel: Summit of the West with Donald Trump / Gipfel des Westens bei Donald Trump
taz: Want-to-be Nobel Prize winner leaves Putin in peace / Möchtegern-Nobelpreisträger lässt Putin in Frieden
Welt: Merz and Zelensky fly to talks with Trump / Merz und Selenskyj fliegen zu Gesprächen mit Trump
European top politicians invoke unity with the USA ahead of the trip with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington: At the video conference of the „coalition of the willing,“ Zelensky and his European allies exchanged views on a possible peace solution. Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine needs security guarantees modeled on NATO. He also underlined his demand for a trilateral summit between Ukraine, Russia, and the USA. Regarding possible peace negotiations, he said they would have to start from the front line. However, territorial concessions or land swaps are not provided for in the Ukrainian constitution. rnd.de, handelsblatt.com
- EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared that Donald Trump was ready to make a security pledge; the EU would also do its part. zdfheute.de
- US special envoy Steve Witkoff told CNN that Russia agreed that the USA and European allies could give Ukraine NATO-like security guarantees. faz.net
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky described the promised US security guarantees for his country as a „historic“ decision. „Security guarantees must, as a result of our joint work, be very practical, provide protection on land, in the air, and at sea, and be developed with Europe’s participation,“ Zelensky explained. n-tv.de
- Zelensky will be accompanied at his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Monday in Washington by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, as well as Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. First, there is to be a one-on-one meeting between Trump and Zelensky. zdfheute.de, zeit.de
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared after Friday’s meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that a ceasefire was on the table. Rubio said no new sanctions would be imposed on Russia for the time being. The existing restrictions were having an effect. „When the Russians landed in Alaska, they wanted to refuel there. They had to pay cash to refuel their planes because they cannot use our banking system,“ Rubio said. tagesspiegel.de
- Message to Russia: USA sends warship „Gerald R. Ford“ to the North Sea. rnd.de
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed Trump’s efforts to end the war of aggression against Ukraine and achieve lasting peace. He also reaffirmed Germany’s solidarity with Kyiv’s government.
- CDU foreign policy politician Norbert Röttgen said Putin had received an unimaginable diplomatic boost from Trump through the Alaska meeting. Trump had backed away from his threats of sanctions.
- Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul ruled out the deployment of German soldiers in Ukraine. zeit.de
Fighting continues on Ukraine’s fronts in the shadow of diplomatic efforts: Ukraine’s General Staff reported dozens of clashes. The main hotspots were Kupyansk and Pokrovsk. At Kupyansk, Ukrainian positions were attacked with guided glide bombs and rocket launchers. welt.de
- Russia once again attacked Ukraine from the air overnight Monday. In Kharkiv in the northeast, a rocket hit a residential area, injuring eleven people.
- Ukraine’s army attacked a Russian military convoy on a highway in the Kursk region. Ukraine’s military intelligence HUR wrote on Facebook that the deputy commander of the „North“ army group was seriously injured.
- Ukraine’s military intelligence carried out a drone attack in the Voronezh region. The infrastructure of an important transport hub for Russian military logistics was damaged, reports the Kyiv Independent.
ISRAEL-GAZA WAR
Israeli army advances in Gaza City: In recent days, units were deployed in the Zeitoun neighborhood. Terrorists were killed and terrorist infrastructure above and below ground was destroyed. The military aims to capture Gaza City and the refugee camps in the center of the Gaza Strip. n-tv.de
- The operation in Gaza City is expected to begin soon, according to Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. The plan to expand the Gaza war envisions taking Gaza City and central refugee camps to crush Hamas.
- Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defends the plan to occupy the Gaza Strip. Before the planned expansion of the Gaza war, Israel is preparing to relocate Palestinians within the sealed-off coastal strip. rnd.de
- Hamas calls Israel’s planned relocation plan for the Gaza Strip a „new wave of genocide and expulsion“ for hundreds of thousands of residents. Israel’s planned provision of tents and other accommodation equipment in the south of the coastal area was an „obvious deception.“
- In the Gaza Strip, according to hospitals, people searching for aid supplies were killed; some victims had been waiting near the Morag corridor for trucks with aid deliveries. The controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation told AP that no shots were fired near its facilities in Israeli military zones.
- In northern Gaza, Israel’s army sealed a roughly seven-kilometer-long tunnel of the Islamist Hamas with concrete. Many tunnels are connected to bunkers used as command centers and hideouts for Hamas leadership. Some tunnels are suspected of holding Israeli hostages.
- Israel’s army intercepted a missile fired from Yemen. Rocket alarms were triggered in several regions of Israel, including Tel Aviv. Earlier, the Israeli military had struck Houthi militia targets in Yemen; energy infrastructure in the capital Sanaa was hit.
Mass protest in Israel for an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages held there: Tens of thousands of people blocked streets and intersections, including major highways in Tel Aviv and near Jerusalem. More than 30 people were arrested, according to police. In Jerusalem, security forces used water cannons. Images show demonstrators setting tires on fire and causing major traffic jams. According to the Hostage Forum, nearly half a million people nationwide took part. The demonstrations followed the announcement by Israel’s security cabinet to expand the operation against Hamas in Gaza. tagesschau.de, zeit.de
USA stops visas for citizens from Gaza Strip: The US government will no longer allow people from the Gaza Strip to enter the USA for medical treatment. The State Department announced that the issuance of „medical-humanitarian“ visas was suspended. The process would undergo a thorough review. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified his decision by saying that some organizations involved in procuring the visas had close ties to terrorist groups such as Hamas. This was not only about children, for whom a few visas had been issued, but also about the adult companions. welt.de
BamS Sunday trend by Insa: CDU/CSU 26 percent (-1), AfD 25 percent, SPD 15 percent, Greens 11 percent, Left 9 percent, BSW 4 percent, FDP 4 percent, Others 5 percent. bild.de
Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is keeping options open for possible tax increases: In the fight against budget gaps amounting to billions, Klingbeil does not rule out higher taxes for top earners and the wealthy, even though coalition partner CSU strictly rejects it. Especially people with high incomes and wealth must ask themselves: „What part do we contribute to making this country fairer?“ A comprehensive package is needed to fill a €30 billion gap in the 2027 budget. zdfheute.de, tagesspiegel.de, welt.de
CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann drew a mixed balance of the first months: the mood in the country was worse than desired, he wrote in a letter to party members. Coordination between the party, the parliamentary group, and the government had not been good, for example, regarding the electricity tax or the election of constitutional judges. At the same time, he called for speed and a „just-do-it mentality.“ Germany, he said, needs an abolition drive for superfluous laws. t-online.de, spiegel.de, handelsblatt.com
Bundestag Vice President Omid Nouripour brings up Swiss EU membership: Germany should offer Switzerland rapid deepening of cooperation, up to a fast-track EU membership. The country has a long tradition of strict neutrality. However, the customs dispute shows how vulnerable small states are when left alone. Nouripour stressed that the principle „politically neutral, economically global“ no longer works in today’s age. zeit.de
Federal police to receive more powers for deportations and drone defense: A draft law from the Interior Ministry states that the purpose is the detection and defense against unmanned land, air, and water systems. The federal police should mainly guard train stations and rail facilities, but also Berlin’s government district and the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe. They are also to gain more powers in criminal prosecution and in combating illegal migration. n-tv.de
Government wants to stick with a unified electricity price zone: The Economics Ministry referred to the coalition agreement between CDU/CSU and SPD. The advantages of the model outweigh the disadvantages, and progress has been made in grid expansion. In Germany’s bidding zone, electricity costs the same everywhere, usually based on cheap wind power from the north. Several northern state premiers have long demanded a split in the price zone to avoid bottlenecks and reduce costs.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul criticizes China: At the start of his trip to Japan and Indonesia, he accused China of increasingly aggressive behavior in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas, which also affects Europe. On Monday, Wadephul will meet Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in Tokyo. On Wednesday, he will visit Indonesia. rnd.de, handelsblatt.com
Germany rejects reparations for former colonies: The black-red coalition argues that at the time there was no international criminal law. The concept of reparations is therefore not applicable to Germany’s colonial past. Instead, the government pointed to the €1.1 billion it pledged to Namibia, most of it for development and reconstruction programs, with €50 million earmarked for reconciliation projects. tagesspiegel.de
Other reports:
- Labor Minister Bärbel Bas is negotiating with social partners over working time reform. tagesspiegel.de
- Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger wants a fiber-optic „turbo“ and criticizes the AI Act. zdfheute.de
- Care commissioner Katrin Staffler wants to relieve relatives of care patients. web.de
- DIHK President Peter Adrian calls for cuts in benefits and a later retirement age. zeit.de
- Social association VdK appeals to federal, state, and local governments as well as transport companies to improve infrastructure in villages.
- Greens call for a federal program to make rivers and lakes more usable for cooling. morgenpost.de
- Pro Asyl and the sponsorship network for local staff file criminal charges against Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul over Afghans in Pakistan. zdfheute.de
- Teachers’ association warns against stopping civil servant appointments for teachers. spiegel.de
Niedersachsen’s hospitality sector relies heavily on foreign workers, especially for skilled roles like chefs. While EU recruitment is relatively smooth, hiring from outside the EU faces delays due to visas and qualification recognition. Coastal areas see high seasonal demand, and the state supports businesses with initiatives like a new labor migration partnership with Morocco. ndr.com
Dozens of smaller towns want their own license plates: More than 70 mayors signed joint letters to ministries in Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. They argue local license plates strengthen regional identity and promote city marketing without incurring costs. tagesspiegel.de
Other Germany news:
- Berlin: Education authority rejects mobile phone ban; relies on personal responsibility. heise.de
- Saxony: Financing model for public broadcasting at risk. medien.epd.de
- Schleswig-Holstein: Middle finger incident ends punk protest camp on Sylt. rnd.de
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam rejects threats from Hezbollah leader: They are tantamount to declaring civil war. Naim Kassim had warned the government of war over plans to disarm his militia. He also accused Salam of carrying out an Israeli-American order. The cabinet had approved a US-backed plan for the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year. faz.net
Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa calls for unification of the country ”without bloodshed“: After the fall of former ruler Bashar al-Assad, the country faces ”another struggle that will lead to the unification of Syria,al-Sharaa said. Al-Sharaa emphasized that Syria is tired of war. He sees no danger of the country splitting apart. At the same time, he criticized that “some people are seeking to divide Syria“ and want to form “cantons“. The interim president also accused Israel of interfering in southern Syria.
Europe News
- Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visits fire sites in the northwest; “pact against climate emergency” announced. zdfheute.de
- Portugal: Government asks EU for help in fighting forest fires on the Iberian Peninsula. tagesschau.de
- Spain: Right-wing Vox party stokes anti-Muslim sentiment and wants to ban headscarves. tagesspiegel.de
- Sweden, Denmark: U-turn on digitization in education; digital devices banned from preschools. tagesspiegel.de
- Norway: Right-wing networking meeting in Oslo; AfD politician Lena Kotré in attendance. taz.de
- Poland: Disappointed by Germany, Poles return home. tagesschau.de
- France: Debates about child-free zones. orf.at
- Czech Republic: New state logo to be simple and modern. deutsch.radio.cz
US News
Several US states deploy National Guard troops: West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio plan to send a total of around 700 soldiers. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said this was a sign of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation. US President Donald Trump had already activated 800 National Guard troops for deployment in the capital, citing crime and homelessness as reasons for the move. He also announced that he would place the police department under federal control. Washington is suing Donald Trump over the takeover of its police department. zdfheute.de
- “Fight the Trump Takeover” protests against Donald Trump in around 300 cities. srf.ch
- US appeals court allows extensive dissolution of financial consumer protection agency.
- White House plays down forgotten Alaska summit documents in hotel printer. tagesspiegel.de
Passenger association Pro Bahn proposes successor for Lutz: The next head of the railway company should come from the transport sector and be familiar with the railway system in Germany. It should also be someone who has not been with the company “forever,” said association head Lukas Iffländer. Specifically, he proposed the current managing director of the Hamburg Transport Association, Anna-Theresa Korbutt, as the successor to outgoing railway chief Richard Lutz. Korbutt is not afraid to rock the boat and has taken clear positions in the debate over the financing of the Germany-wide rail ticket, for example. handelsblatt.com, tagesspiegel.de
More from Business, Tech and Science:
- According to the Max Rubner Institute, the proportion of vegetarians and vegans in Germany may be lower than previously assumed. n-tv.de
- German Environmental Aid complains about too few special lanes for buses. rnd.de
- Pharmacists‘ association calls discounts offered by foreign mail-order pharmacies a “violation of the law.” rnd.de
- Arms industry: How the changing times have transformed communication in the sector table.media/security
- AI race: Consumers will bear the costs for the power grid heise.de
- Summit calls for halt to plans for new Hamburg-Hanover railway line deutschlandfunk.de
- According to ADAC study: Small cars are becoming increasingly expensive – “Driving must remain affordable!” rp-online.de
- New drugs thanks to AI: Scientists develop antibiotics against gonorrhea and MRSA de.euronews.com
- AI prefers AI: Researchers warn of discrimination against humans t3n.de
- Conceivable on other planets: Life could also be possible without water n-tv.de
- ZDF and ntv benefit most: Trump and Putin summit press conference ensures high TV ratings dwdl.de
- Duchess Meghan plans “With Love, Meghan” Christmas special on Netflix merkur.de
- British actor: “Superman” villain Terence Stamp dies at the age of 87 welt.de
- “Huge mistake”: Nazi slogans at MS Dockville in Hamburg – Danish electro-pop duo Roya chanted the Nazi slogan “Deutschland, Deutschland über alles” during their performance. hamburg.t-online.de
- Under constant scrutiny: Netflix documentary reveals Victoria Beckham’s battle with eating disorders bunte.de
- Seen and heard millions of times: Taylor Swift sends the Kelce brothers‘ podcast ratings skyrocketing spiegel.de
Frauenalia is a social enterprise dedicated to boosting diversity and equal opportunities in German society and business. With a team of international experts, they help international professionals find fulfilling work as employees, entrepreneurs, or through career changes.
Their mission is to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can access professional environments that match their unique skills and ambitions. Frauenalia empowers women from all backgrounds through entrepreneurship, career programs, and networking, fostering creativity and economic growth. Their initiatives support individuals and strengthen the fabric of German business and culture.
- Bayern wins 2-1 against VfB Stuttgart in the Super Cup: Franz Beckenbauer is bigger than Nick Woltemade after all – Franz Beckenbauer is now the namesake for the Super Cup – so it’s a matter of honor for FC Bayern to bring this trophy to Munich. spiegel.de
- DFB Cup: Cologne turns the game around in stoppage time – Schalke saves itself in extra time spiegel.de
- Despite imminent transfer: Trapp to play for Frankfurt in DFB Cup sportschau.de
- Tennis star in Cincinnati: Zverev loses completely exhausted – even his opponent is concerned spiegel.de
- Top cycling stars humiliated: Outsider Rory Townsend celebrates sensational victory in Hamburg n-tv.de
In Germany, you can buy Spaghettieis, but it’s not pasta. It’s a dessert invented in Mannheim in 1969. Vanilla ice cream is pressed through a spaetzle press so it looks like spaghetti, then topped with strawberry sauce as „tomato sauce“ and white chocolate shavings or coconut flakes as „parmesan.“ Many foreigners are confused the first time they see it on a menu, but it’s a beloved childhood classic for Germans.