Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) presented the annual cybercrime report, warning of a persistently high threat level with over 330,000 recorded cases and estimated economic damage exceeding 200 billion euros. Ransomware attacks are rising, targeting small and medium-sized enterprises. Dobrindt announced plans for a law enabling active cyber defense, allowing authorities to disrupt and destroy attacker infrastructure, while emphasizing international cooperation.

Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt presented the annual cybercrime report, warning of a persistently high threat level. Over 330,000 cases were recorded, with ransomware attacks on the rise, causing an estimated economic damage of over 200 billion euros. Dobrindt announced plans for a law to enable active cyber defense, allowing authorities to disrupt and destroy attacker infrastructure, while emphasizing international cooperation.

Germany has previously highlighted defense cooperation benefits from Ukraine, including learning from its drone and cyber innovations, and signed the 'Brave Germany' program for joint defense technology development on May 11, 2026. In a new development, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced over €10 million in funding for an EU initiative to establish military training centers in Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv. The funds will finance infrastructure for a fully fledged training institution aimed at ensuring Ukrainian forces maintain high combat readiness even after a potential peace agreement with Russia. Pistorius noted that nearly 27,000 Ukrainian soldiers have already trained in Germany.

Germany's coalition government (Union and SPD) has agreed to cap annual spending on integration courses at €600 million. Asylum seekers and tolerated migrants will no longer be eligible for general state-funded courses but will instead receive expanded basic orientation courses. A quota system will prioritize Ukrainian refugees and EU citizens relevant to the labor market, partially reversing a previous freeze on free enrollment. The deal follows a dispute over rising costs from €500 million to €1.3 billion over three years and has drawn criticism from experts, municipalities, and churches.

Germany's coalition government (Union and SPD) has agreed to cap annual spending on integration courses at €600 million, reversing a previous freeze on free enrollment for some groups. Asylum seekers and tolerated migrants will be excluded from general state-funded courses but will receive expanded basic orientation courses. A quota system will prioritize Ukrainian refugees and EU citizens relevant to the labor market. The deal follows a dispute over rising costs, which had grown from €500 million to €1.3 billion over three years. The changes are expected to affect around 130,000 people this year and have drawn criticism from municipalities, churches, and experts who argue the cuts may hinder long-term integration.

The European Union has confirmed plans to invite Taliban representatives to Brussels for talks on deporting Afghan asylum seekers, following earlier reports of such considerations, though no date is set. Germany has already deported 45 Afghan criminals in 2025—20 in February and 25 in April—and German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has expanded direct contacts with Taliban officials, including presenting Afghan nationals to two Taliban representatives to obtain necessary travel documents. Human rights groups and opposition parties (Greens, Left) criticize these moves, citing the Taliban's severe restrictions on rights, especially women's rights, and the lack of diplomatic recognition. The EU spokesperson stated the invitation does not imply recognition of the Taliban regime. Additionally, Germany has violated prior commitments to admit Afghan helpers and their families, leading to 501 lawsuits against the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees over revoked admission promises.

Background: The EU has been considering hosting Taliban representatives in Brussels to discuss returning Afghan nationals without legal status. Germany has already deported Afghan criminals, with 20 deportations in February and 25 in April 2025. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt expanded contacts with the Taliban, presenting Afghan nationals to Taliban representatives to obtain necessary travel documents. Human rights groups criticize these moves, citing the Taliban's severe restrictions on rights, especially women's rights. The EU spokesperson stated the invitation does not imply diplomatic recognition of the Taliban regime.

German defense company Rheinmetall has entered the cruise missile market through a joint venture with Destinus, aiming to produce long-range missiles starting in late 2026 or early 2027. This move follows the US cancellation of plans to deploy Tomahawk missiles in Germany, accelerating European efforts to develop independent long-range precision-strike capabilities. The venture reflects rising European military spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

German defense company Rheinmetall has entered the cruise missile market through a joint venture with Destinus, aiming to produce long-range missiles starting in late 2026 or early 2027. This move follows the US cancellation of plans to deploy Tomahawk missiles in Germany, accelerating European efforts to develop independent long-range precision-strike capabilities. The venture reflects rising European military spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.