09/01/2025September 1, 2025
German defense minister criticizes von der Leyen’s comments on deployment to Ukraine
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was sharply critical of comments reportedly made by EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen regarding military security guarantees for Ukraine.
In statements carried by British newspaper the Financial Times, von der Leyen said that “precise plans” are being drawn up for a multinational troop deployment to Ukraine.
On Monday, Pistorius said he believed that publicly discussing such topics before Kyiv and Moscow sat at the negotiating table was “completely wrong.”
“Apart from the fact that the European Union has no jurisdiction or competence whatsoever when it comes to the deployment of troops – regardless of for whom or for what — I would be very cautious about confirming or commenting on such considerations in any way,” he told reporters during a visit to an arms manufacturer in Troisdorf, a small town near Cologne.
Pistorius nevertheless alluded to ongoing deliberations about “what might be possible, what might not be possible, and under what conditions and reservations something could even be conceivable.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4zolj
Skip next section Merz in Germany’s most populated state ahead of local elections
09/01/2025September 1, 2025
Merz in Germany’s most populated state ahead of local elections
According to German Chancellor , who is visiting (NRW), the upcoming local elections in the most populous German state state will not be a major test of public opinion for his ruling federal coalition.
“Local elections are local elections,” Merz said, even if there is “a certain view of state and federal politics.”
Around 13.7 million citizens will be eligible to vote on September 14 for thousands of seats in the local councils of the 396 cities and municipalities in NRW, as well as the 31 districts and the Ruhr Regional Association (RVR).
https://p.dw.com/p/4zoSD
Skip next section Dozens of Afghan nations arrive in Germany despite Merz’s tough immigration stance
09/01/2025September 1, 2025
Dozens of Afghan nations arrive in Germany despite Merz’s tough immigration stance
Dozens of have arrived in Germany on a scheduled flight from Pakistan after receiving visas.
German news agencies reported upwards of 45 Afghan nationals had arrived, landing at Hanover Airport on Monday on a commercial flight from Istanbul, having begun their journey in Islamabad.
Many Afghan families have been waiting in Pakistan for months to secure passage to Germany. Others have waited years after fleeing their homeland due to the Taliban’s return to power.
In addition to former employees of German institutions and their relatives, Berlin had indicated it would take in other Afghans at risk of persecution due to their careers as lawyers, journalists or human rights defenders.
However, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has taken a tough stance in immigration, vowing to reduce numbers. As a result, Merz’s government has paused plans to resettle hundreds of Afghans who were informed of Germany’s “readiness” to accept them following the ‘s return to power in in 2021.
On Monday, a court ruled that the German government has the right to stop issuing visas. However, it is understood that Afghans who arrived that same day succeeded in acquiring visas after filing lawsuits.
https://p.dw.com/p/4zodD
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage09/01/2025September 1, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
Guten Tag! Welcome to DW’s coverage of developments in .
Chancellor is visiting North Rhine-Westphalia ahead of local elections, which some view as a test of public opinion on his government, a few months after his ruling coalition took power.
Meanwhile, dozens of Afghan nationals have arrived at Hanover Airport, despite a German court ruling that the federal government has the right to halt the issuing of their visas. The Afghans are understood to have succeeded in acquiring visas after filing lawsuits.
https://p.dw.com/p/4zo6C
The post Germany updates: Afghan nationals arrive after visa battle appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
