German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said he expects the United States to take part in a stronger NATO role to improve security in Greenland. Speaking during a visit to India, he said NATO allies share concerns about protecting the Arctic territory and should address them together within the alliance.
European leaders have issued a joint statement rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed claims that the United States needs to take control of Greenland. They stressed that Greenland’s future can only be decided by Denmark and Greenland, and warned against threats to sovereignty and NATO unity.
Germany and France have again postponed a decision on the Future Combat Air System, with no new timeline set. The governments cited wider foreign and security talks and unresolved industry disputes, leaving the future of Europe’s planned next-generation air combat system uncertain.
Germany approved €8.4 billion in arms export licences in 2025, marking a clear drop after two record years. Government data show a sharp fall in approvals for Ukraine, while Norway became the largest recipient and licences for Turkey rose to their highest level since 1999.
European defence company KNDS has confirmed plans to go public in 2026, with a stock market listing in both Paris and Frankfurt. The German-French group, manufactures the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the CAESAR artillery system.
Germany has approved €50 billion in new spending to modernise its armed forces. The funds will be used to buy equipment and clothing for soldiers, expand missile defence systems such as Arrow 3 and Patriot, and purchase additional Puma infantry fighting vehicles.
Germany has opened a new Joint Drone Defence Centre in Berlin, which becomes operational in January, brings together agencies to counter drone threats, with increasing sightings near airports, military sites and energy facilities.
Germany’s armed forces have signed a €1.7 billion contract with Rheinmetall for access to satellite-based reconnaissance data with regular radar images supplied through a partnership with Finnish satellite operator ICEYE.
The German Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter, with a total of 31 Sea Tigers planned to replaced the Sea Lynx fleet. The NH90 is equipped with sonar systems and can deploy torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
The Kremlin has rejected calls for a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine, saying it wants to end the war rather than pause fighting. The response followed an appeal by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after peace talks in Berlin.
Germany’s parliament will consider spending around €50 billion on defence this week, covering major arms procurement for the Bundeswehr, including Arrow 3 and Patriot air defence systems and Puma infantry fighting vehicles.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said any European protection force for Ukraine would depend on Russia’s response and unresolved legal and command issues, following talks in Berlin for a force to help secure a possible ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and a U.S. delegation arrived in Berlin for talks on a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, meeting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ahead of discussions involving European partners. Russian officials have expressed skepticism about the talks, which will continue on Monday.
Germany has accused Russia of carrying out a major cyberattack and a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the country’s federal election and undermining democratic institutions, alleging a 2024 cyberattack on Germany’s air-traffic control provider can be attributed to the Russian hacker group Fancy Bear, linked to military intelligence agency GRU.
Foreign policy advisers from the United States, Ukraine, Germany and other partners are set to resume talks on a possible peace framework for Ukraine in Berlin, according to government sources. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to take part, with discussions following several earlier rounds of negotiations since November. The talks come as diplomatic efforts continue alongside ongoing fighting, with both Russia and Ukraine reporting casualties from drone and missile strikes.
