Berlin's foreign-policy day runs through Beijing as Merz banks on Xi, prosecutors arrest a China-spy couple, and the state takes 40% of KNDS
On May 20 Chancellor Friedrich Merz, alongside Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Berlin, said Germany hopes Xi Jinping will press Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war during his Beijing visit, while reiterating continued military and humanitarian support for Kyiv. Federal prosecutors arrested a married German couple, Xuejun C. and Hua S., in Munich on suspicion of spying for Chinese intelligence on military-applicable high-tech; the federal cabinet agreed to acquire a 40% stake in defence firm KNDS ahead of its IPO; and Defence Minister Boris Pistorius unveiled a reform of the Bundeswehr procurement agency.
Top Stories
Merz says Berlin hopes Xi will press Putin to end Ukraine war, reaffirms support for Kyiv
At a joint press conference in Berlin with Swiss President Guy Parmelin on May 20, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany does not expect fundamental changes in Russia-China strategic relations but hopes Xi Jinping will use Vladimir Putin's Beijing visit to press for an end to the war in Ukraine. Merz called for serious negotiations involving Ukraine, Russia, the United States and Europeans and reiterated continued German military and humanitarian support for Kyiv. Putin arrived in Beijing on May 19 and signed a declaration with Xi on building a multipolar world order.
German couple arrested in Munich on suspicion of spying for China
German federal prosecutors on Wednesday arrested a married German couple in Munich on suspicion of working for a Chinese intelligence service to obtain high-tech information with military applications. The suspects, identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S., are accused of building contacts with university professors in aerospace, IT and artificial intelligence, and luring some scientists to China under false pretenses. They were taken to the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe, where an investigative judge ordered them held in pretrial detention.
German government agrees to acquire 40% stake in defense firm KNDS ahead of IPO
The German government has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in Franco-German defense company KNDS, maker of the Leopard 2 tank, ahead of its planned IPO, sources in government circles told Reuters, dpa and AFP. The stake is expected to decline to 30% within two to three years, with France reducing its holding in parallel. KNDS board chairman Tom Enders welcomed the move but said the goal must be to reduce state holdings over time to below 50% combined.
German defense minister Pistorius announces reform of Bundeswehr procurement
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has announced a new reform of the Bundeswehr's procurement system, aiming to decentralize and flexibilize the process. The procurement agency, currently known as BAAINBw and based in Koblenz, has been restructured multiple times over the past 25 years without resolving chronic delays, high costs, and quality issues. Pistorius plans to dissolve all departments and introduce a corporate matrix structure.
All Events
Every other event tracked in Germany, with a one-line preview.
de35Germany pushes for European military space command to reduce reliance on US technology
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius convened defense chiefs from Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg to advance plans for a European Space Component Command and a multilateral space training academy. Germany has pledged €35 billion for military space capabilities, including satellite constellations and launch capacity. Austria plans to launch three military satellites next year. The initiative reflects growing European efforts to reduce dependency on US space technology, with neutral Austria and Switzerland deepening defense ties with Germany.
Show summaryHide
Germany pushes for European military space command to reduce reliance on US technology
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius convened defense chiefs from Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg to advance plans for a European Space Component Command and a multilateral space training academy. Germany has pledged €35 billion for military space capabilities, including satellite constellations and launch capacity. Austria plans to launch three military satellites next year. The initiative reflects growing European efforts to reduce dependency on US space technology, with neutral Austria and Switzerland deepening defense ties with Germany.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius convened defense chiefs from Austria, Switzerland, and Luxembourg to advance plans for a European Space Component Command and a multilateral space training academy. Germany has pledged €35 billion for military space capabilities, including satellite constellations and launch capacity. Austria plans to launch three military satellites next year. The initiative reflects growing European efforts to reduce dependency on US space technology, with neutral Austria and Switzerland deepening defense ties with Germany.
de33Commerzbank employees rally at AGM against UniCredit takeover bid
Background: UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel declared the takeover of Commerzbank 'unstoppable' and launched a voluntary share exchange offer, while Commerzbank management, employees, and the German government oppose the bid. At Commerzbank's annual general meeting in Wiesbaden on May 20, employees and management staged a coordinated show of resistance against UniCredit's hostile takeover attempt. Employees wearing Commerzbank yellow cheered management speeches, and a worker shouted in Italian at Orcel, saying 'We don't want you!' The meeting was carefully orchestrated to show unity. Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp has been leading an 18-month counter-offensive to preserve the bank's independence. UniCredit's voluntary share exchange offer, launched in early May, remains open until early July.
Show summaryHide
Commerzbank employees rally at AGM against UniCredit takeover bid
Background: UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel declared the takeover of Commerzbank 'unstoppable' and launched a voluntary share exchange offer, while Commerzbank management, employees, and the German government oppose the bid. At Commerzbank's annual general meeting in Wiesbaden on May 20, employees and management staged a coordinated show of resistance against UniCredit's hostile takeover attempt. Employees wearing Commerzbank yellow cheered management speeches, and a worker shouted in Italian at Orcel, saying 'We don't want you!' The meeting was carefully orchestrated to show unity. Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp has been leading an 18-month counter-offensive to preserve the bank's independence. UniCredit's voluntary share exchange offer, launched in early May, remains open until early July.
Background: UniCredit CEO Andrea Orcel declared the takeover of Commerzbank 'unstoppable' and launched a voluntary share exchange offer, while Commerzbank management, employees, and the German government oppose the bid. At Commerzbank's annual general meeting in Wiesbaden on May 20, employees and management staged a coordinated show of resistance against UniCredit's hostile takeover attempt. Employees wearing Commerzbank yellow cheered management speeches, and a worker shouted in Italian at Orcel, saying 'We don't want you!' The meeting was carefully orchestrated to show unity. Commerzbank CEO Bettina Orlopp has been leading an 18-month counter-offensive to preserve the bank's independence. UniCredit's voluntary share exchange offer, launched in early May, remains open until early July.
de30German government simulates response to potential aircraft hijacking
The German federal government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, conducted a crisis response exercise simulating a hijacked aircraft as a potential terror weapon. The exercise involved the Bundeswehr and security agencies, with Eurofighter jets intercepting the aircraft and forcing it to land. The cabinet made a real-time decision via secure communication channels.
Show summaryHide
German government simulates response to potential aircraft hijacking
The German federal government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, conducted a crisis response exercise simulating a hijacked aircraft as a potential terror weapon. The exercise involved the Bundeswehr and security agencies, with Eurofighter jets intercepting the aircraft and forcing it to land. The cabinet made a real-time decision via secure communication channels.
The German federal government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, conducted a crisis response exercise simulating a hijacked aircraft as a potential terror weapon. The exercise involved the Bundeswehr and security agencies, with Eurofighter jets intercepting the aircraft and forcing it to land. The cabinet made a real-time decision via secure communication channels.
de28Germany unveils first Tranche 4 Eurofighter with AESA radar
Airbus Defence & Space unveiled the first German Tranche 4 Eurofighter at its Manching site. The aircraft features an AESA radar (ECRS Mk 0 initially), advanced avionics, and new weapons integration. Germany has ordered 38 Tranche 4 jets under Project Quadriga to replace early Tranche 1 aircraft, plus 20 Tranche 5 jets. The unveiling underscores the Eurofighter's growing importance for the Luftwaffe amid delays in the FCAS sixth-generation program and Germany's military transformation toward high-readiness territorial defense on NATO's eastern flank.
Show summaryHide
Germany unveils first Tranche 4 Eurofighter with AESA radar
Airbus Defence & Space unveiled the first German Tranche 4 Eurofighter at its Manching site. The aircraft features an AESA radar (ECRS Mk 0 initially), advanced avionics, and new weapons integration. Germany has ordered 38 Tranche 4 jets under Project Quadriga to replace early Tranche 1 aircraft, plus 20 Tranche 5 jets. The unveiling underscores the Eurofighter's growing importance for the Luftwaffe amid delays in the FCAS sixth-generation program and Germany's military transformation toward high-readiness territorial defense on NATO's eastern flank.
Airbus Defence & Space unveiled the first German Tranche 4 Eurofighter at its Manching site. The aircraft features an AESA radar (ECRS Mk 0 initially), advanced avionics, and new weapons integration. Germany has ordered 38 Tranche 4 jets under Project Quadriga to replace early Tranche 1 aircraft, plus 20 Tranche 5 jets. The unveiling underscores the Eurofighter's growing importance for the Luftwaffe amid delays in the FCAS sixth-generation program and Germany's military transformation toward high-readiness territorial defense on NATO's eastern flank.
de25Germany reports surge in online child sexual abuse cases, AI exacerbates risks
Background: The German youth protection center jugendschutz.net reported over 15,000 violations of youth protection laws online in 2025, with the majority being child sexual abuse material, and warned of AI-driven risks including chatbots and AI influencers. Today: Jugendschutz.net recorded over 15,000 instances of sexualization, hate, and violence against children online in 2025, calling it the tip of the iceberg. The report highlights AI's role in creating manipulated images and chatbots simulating sexual acts with minors. It criticizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify for inadequate protection, noting that user reports lead to action only 2% of the time. Youth Minister Karin Prien called for stronger enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act and new legislation to combat addictive and harmful design practices.
Show summaryHide
Germany reports surge in online child sexual abuse cases, AI exacerbates risks
Background: The German youth protection center jugendschutz.net reported over 15,000 violations of youth protection laws online in 2025, with the majority being child sexual abuse material, and warned of AI-driven risks including chatbots and AI influencers. Today: Jugendschutz.net recorded over 15,000 instances of sexualization, hate, and violence against children online in 2025, calling it the tip of the iceberg. The report highlights AI's role in creating manipulated images and chatbots simulating sexual acts with minors. It criticizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify for inadequate protection, noting that user reports lead to action only 2% of the time. Youth Minister Karin Prien called for stronger enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act and new legislation to combat addictive and harmful design practices.
Background: The German youth protection center jugendschutz.net reported over 15,000 violations of youth protection laws online in 2025, with the majority being child sexual abuse material, and warned of AI-driven risks including chatbots and AI influencers. Today: Jugendschutz.net recorded over 15,000 instances of sexualization, hate, and violence against children online in 2025, calling it the tip of the iceberg. The report highlights AI's role in creating manipulated images and chatbots simulating sexual acts with minors. It criticizes platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Spotify for inadequate protection, noting that user reports lead to action only 2% of the time. Youth Minister Karin Prien called for stronger enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act and new legislation to combat addictive and harmful design practices.
de18NSU supporter Ralf Wohlleben released after serving full sentence
Ralf Wohlleben, a former NPD official convicted of being an accessory to nine murders committed by the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Socialist Underground (NSU), has been released after serving his full 10-year prison sentence. Wohlleben had procured the pistol used in the murders of eight Turkish-origin men and one Greek-origin man between 2000 and 2006. His release has drawn criticism from anti-fascist activists and victim families.
Show summaryHide
NSU supporter Ralf Wohlleben released after serving full sentence
Ralf Wohlleben, a former NPD official convicted of being an accessory to nine murders committed by the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Socialist Underground (NSU), has been released after serving his full 10-year prison sentence. Wohlleben had procured the pistol used in the murders of eight Turkish-origin men and one Greek-origin man between 2000 and 2006. His release has drawn criticism from anti-fascist activists and victim families.
Ralf Wohlleben, a former NPD official convicted of being an accessory to nine murders committed by the neo-Nazi terrorist group National Socialist Underground (NSU), has been released after serving his full 10-year prison sentence. Wohlleben had procured the pistol used in the murders of eight Turkish-origin men and one Greek-origin man between 2000 and 2006. His release has drawn criticism from anti-fascist activists and victim families.
de13American doctor with Ebola evacuated from DRC to Germany for treatment
An American surgeon, Dr. Peter Stafford, who contracted Ebola while operating on an undiagnosed patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been evacuated to Germany with his family. The World Health Organization warns the outbreak is larger than reported, with over 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths. The WHO chief pushed back against US criticism of its response, saying the criticism may stem from a lack of understanding of international health regulations.
Show summaryHide
American doctor with Ebola evacuated from DRC to Germany for treatment
An American surgeon, Dr. Peter Stafford, who contracted Ebola while operating on an undiagnosed patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been evacuated to Germany with his family. The World Health Organization warns the outbreak is larger than reported, with over 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths. The WHO chief pushed back against US criticism of its response, saying the criticism may stem from a lack of understanding of international health regulations.
An American surgeon, Dr. Peter Stafford, who contracted Ebola while operating on an undiagnosed patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been evacuated to Germany with his family. The World Health Organization warns the outbreak is larger than reported, with over 600 suspected cases and 139 deaths. The WHO chief pushed back against US criticism of its response, saying the criticism may stem from a lack of understanding of international health regulations.