Oliver Noyan
Kuleba: No to EU candidate status would ‘kill our hope’
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasised on Thursday (12 May) the importance of reaching EU-candidacy status for its morale in the war, while German economy minister Robert Habeck warned of giving “false promises.”
Germany embraces Macron’s proposal for a ‘European Political Community’
While Germany does not support a fast-tracked accession of Ukraine, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said that she supports the idea of a reform of the EU to allow Ukraine and other countries to integrate more deeply with the bloc.
German foreign minister calls for prosecution of war criminals during Ukraine visit
German Foreign minister Annalena Baerbock travelled to Kyiv on Tuesday (10 May) as the first minister of Scholz’s cabinet, where she demanded that the “war crimes and the crimes against humanity” be investigated.
Scholz and Macron to reignite Franco-German engine on EU-integration
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to intensify the Franco-German tandem and to lead Europe on a path of reform to enable a stronger and more sovereign EU.
Hamburg city prioritises diversity to revive culture, save economy
The Hamburg city is looking for solutions to reverse a negative trend of disproportional retail’s sector growth compared to other sectors in the downtown, told EURACTIV.de Dorothee Stapelfeldt, Senator for Urban Development and Environment in the Government of Hamburg in an interview.
Germany calls for Western Balkan enlargement, abolition of unanimity
Germany wants to use the Conference on the Future of Europe as a starting point to further develop the EU, possibly change treaties and abolish unanimity decision-making for EU foreign policy matters.
Zelenskyy ends diplomatic row with Germany over Steinmeier disinvitation
After Ukrainian authorities said in mid-April that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was not welcome in Ukraine over his alleged ties to Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reconciled his differences with Steinmeier in a phone call on Thursday.
Public opinion crumbles over German war support to Ukraine
Multiple open letters urging the German government to pressure Ukraine into a compromise with Vladimir Putin are gathering support in the country, with high-ranking politicians backing the call. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian civil society has called the move “disturbing.”
Ukrainian ambassador tells Scholz ‘war is not a kindergarten’
After German chancellor Scholz announced on Monday that he will not visit Ukraine as Kyiv did not welcome German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier over his alleged close ties to Russia, the Ukrainian ambassador backfired.
Germany pushes for closer ties with India amid Ukraine war
Germany announced on Monday (2 May) to strengthen the bilateral ties with India in a bid to support the effort of the EU to relaunch the relationship with New Delhi and to increase cooperation with "like-minded" states.
EU inches forward on Russian oil ban as Germany, Hungary soften opposition
The two main opponents to a ban on Russian oil imports, Germany and Hungary, have softened their opposition to the move. EURACTIV looks at the options on the table and the state of play.
The Brief – Why Berlin’s leadership is in decline
The war in Ukraine is painfully exposing the decline of German leadership in Europe. Once referred to as the European ‘hegemon’ during the euro crisis, Berlin is now showing hesitance and indecisiveness instead of leading Europe through what could be described as the crisis of the century.
Germany to allow shipment of heavy weaponry to Ukraine
The German 'traffic light' coalition will intensify its efforts to support Ukraine with weapons and is green-lighting the delivery of heavy weaponry by industry, marking a distinct change in approach.
German Social Democrats under pressure over Schröder’s ties to Putin
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats find themselves haunted by the legacy of former chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who held a close friendship with Putin, while they find themselves also increasingly isolated within their own coalition government.
Macron’s re-election could reduce Germany’s influence in Europe
The re-election of French President Emmanuel Macron has strengthened his vision of a sovereign Europe and could also reduce Germany's potential for political leadership within the EU.
Delivery of heavy weapons no longer ‘taboo’, foreign minister says
With German chancellor Olaf Scholz increasingly caught in a crossfire over his hesitancy to assist Ukraine, foreign minister Annalena Baerbock stressed on Wednesday (20 April) that the shipment of heavy weaponry would now be on the table.
Trench warfare within German coalition over weapon deliveries
After three key Bundestag members returned from their Ukraine visit, the issue of whether Germany should deliver heavy weaponry to Ukraine has become a heated and contested topic within the country's ruling 'traffic light' coalition.
Ukraine refuses to welcome German President over his ties to Russia
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was forced to cancel his trip to Kyiv, as Ukrainian authorities said on Tuesday (12 April) that he wasn't welcome due to his alleged close ties to the Kremlin.
Putin visit: Austrian Chancellor urges investigation of war crimes
During a visit to the Kremlin, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer urged Putin to investigate war crimes in Ukraine and establish humanitarian corridors, but the proposals were not well recieved.
Digital Brief: Google’s new cookies policy, CJEU slams data retention in Ireland, France
Welcome to EURACTIV’s Digital Brief, your weekly update on all things digital in the EU. You can subscribe to the newsletter here. “Narratives borrowed from the Kremlin’s playbook [have] resurfaced in Chinese state-controlled channels” -EUvsDisinfo Story of the week: Google...
Germany warns of spillover-effect of Ukraine war in Western Balkans
The German government has warned of Russia's destabilisation strategies, possibly challenging peace and stability in the Western Balkan region, most notably in the already dysfunctional Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
Countries pledge €695 million to aid Moldova
Moldova has been pledged €695 million in financial aid, it was announced in Berlin on Tuesday (5 April). The country, the poorest in Europe, is facing economic collapse due to the ongoing war in Ukraine on its eastern border.
Germany expels 40 Russian diplomats in response to massacre in Ukraine
Germany announced the expulsion of 40 Russian diplomats on Monday (4 April) in response to the discovery of apparent mass graves and executed civilians in Bucha, near Kyiv, adding that it seeks to end all trade relations with Russia.