Germany has criticized the United States for easing certain sanctions on Russian oil, warning that the move could help finance Russia’s war in Ukraine. During a visit to Norway, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that lifting restrictions at this stage was a mistake and that European leaders did not want Moscow to exploit conflicts involving Iran to weaken Ukraine.

German Finance Minister Katharina Reiche also cautioned that relaxing the sanctions could further fill President Vladimir Putin’s war chest. The comments reflect Berlin’s concern that any reduction in pressure on Russia might undermine collective Western efforts to limit Moscow’s ability to sustain its military operations in Ukraine.

The remarks underscore ongoing divisions among Western allies over how to balance energy market stability with maintaining strong economic pressure on Russia.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany does not intend to become involved in the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran, which has entered its 14th day of joint US-Israeli attacks. Speaking during his visit to Norway, Merz emphasized that Berlin has no plans to provide military protection for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, despite recent Iranian attacks in the area.

He reiterated that Germany is not part of this war and does not wish to be. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy supplies, and the recent escalation of tensions there has heightened international concern.

The statement underscores Germany’s cautious stance amid rising regional instability and reflects its focus on avoiding direct military engagement in Middle Eastern conflicts.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has expressed concern that rising energy prices caused by the ongoing war could affect Germany’s economy. Speaking at a press conference, Merz said his government is worried about the current energy price situation and acknowledged the potential economic consequences for the country.

During his visit to the White House last week, Merz had expressed support for the joint U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran. At the same time, he expressed hope that the conflict would end soon, noting that the war is having a negative impact on the global economy.

The statement reflects Germany’s growing anxiety over the broader economic fallout of the conflict and its potential to disrupt energy markets and economic stability.

Germany’s Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has announced that his country will not participate in the ongoing war against Iran led by the United States and Israel. In an interview with German media outlet RND, Klingbeil expressed serious doubts about the international legal legitimacy of the conflict. He stated clearly that it is not Germany’s war and warned that the world is heading toward a situation without rules.

Klingbeil emphasized that Germany does not want to live in a world governed solely by the law of the powerful. His remarks directly contradict the position of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who had earlier expressed support for the US and Israeli objectives concerning Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, Tehran’s threats toward Israel, and its backing of terrorism and proxy groups.

The divergence between the two leaders highlights internal differences within Germany’s leadership over how to respond to the escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Germany has withdrawn additional troops from the Middle East as the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its seventh day. The German military said the decision was made due to increasing security risks in the region. A spokesperson told Reuters that part of the Bundeswehr contingent deployed under the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon is being relocated for safety reasons.

Earlier, Germany had already reduced its military presence in Erbil, northern Iraq. According to German media outlet RND, troops stationed in Bahrain have returned home, and preparations are underway to withdraw personnel from Kuwait. Some soldiers and officials from the German embassy in Baghdad have been moved to Jordan for security reasons, though the Foreign Ministry has not commented on the matter.

Currently, around 500 German troops remain deployed across several Middle Eastern countries, mainly in Iraq and Jordan. However, worsening security conditions have prompted Germany to scale back its presence and withdraw forces from certain bases.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned that if the ongoing war continues for an extended period, it could pose a serious threat to Europe’s security and regional stability, according to Al Jazeera. He stated that a prolonged conflict could also endanger the security of Israel and its partner countries in the Middle East.

Merz further noted that continuing the war serves no one’s interest and could jeopardize Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He cautioned that instability in Iran might undermine Europe’s energy security and trigger an uncontrolled wave of migration.

The Chancellor’s remarks highlight growing concerns in Europe about the broader geopolitical and economic consequences of the conflict, particularly its potential to disrupt energy supplies and regional balance.

Germany’s Defense Ministry announced that it has no plans to send additional troops to the Middle East despite escalating tensions in the region. In a statement issued on March 6, 2026, the ministry said Berlin’s current level of military participation in international missions will remain unchanged. The German Navy continues to take part in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), but no further deployments are planned.

The ministry emphasized that Germany’s primary military focus is on NATO’s defense operations in Eastern Europe. The statement reflected Defense Minister Boris Pistorius’s earlier remarks in parliament, where he clarified that Germany is not a party to the ongoing conflict. The announcement comes amid reports of intensified hostilities in the Middle East, including attacks in Iran and rising regional instability.

The decision signals Berlin’s intent to maintain its existing international commitments while prioritizing European security concerns under NATO frameworks.

Booker Prize–winning Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy has declined an invitation to the Berlin International Film Festival after expressing outrage at comments made by jury members regarding the situation in Gaza. In a statement on Friday, Roy said she was deeply hurt and disturbed by remarks from jury president Wim Wenders and others during a Thursday press conference, where they suggested filmmakers should stay away from politics.

The controversy arose when a journalist asked the jury about the German government's support for Israel and its stance on human rights. Wenders responded that filmmakers should not engage in politics, emphasizing that their work is for the public, not politicians. Roy condemned these comments as “conscience-less,” describing the Gaza situation as genocide by Israel against Palestinians. She argued that artists and filmmakers have a moral duty to speak out against such atrocities.

Roy’s 1989 film “In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones” was scheduled to be screened in the festival’s classics section from February 12 to 22, but she has now withdrawn her participation.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that a deep rift has developed between the United States and Europe. Speaking at the opening of the Munich Security Conference on Friday, he said the rules-based world order no longer exists and that Europe’s freedom is neither secure nor guaranteed in the current era of great power politics. Merz urged Europeans to be ready to make sacrifices, according to a BBC report.

The conference, expected to host around 50 world leaders, will focus on European defense and the future of transatlantic relations. It takes place amid growing doubts about the U.S. commitment to NATO, with many European leaders citing former President Donald Trump’s ambitions regarding Greenland as a breach of trust.

Discussions at the annual gathering also include the Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between the West and China, and a possible Iran-U.S. nuclear deal. Merz reiterated his concern that the previous world order no longer exists and highlighted the widening divide between Europe and the United States, referencing remarks made by U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance a year earlier.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Thursday called on China to show restraint in weapons development and to join future arms control initiatives. Speaking to reporters in Canberra during his visit to Australia, he warned that the expiration of the last U.S.-Russia nuclear treaty, New START, on February 5 has raised the risk of a renewed global arms race.

Disarmament advocates have expressed concern that the end of the treaty could encourage major nuclear powers to expand their arsenals, with China potentially accelerating its buildup. Wadephul emphasized that any future arms control framework must include China, noting that Beijing often speaks in favor of multilateralism and should now demonstrate its commitment by investing in trust and restraint in international relations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also recently called for a new agreement that includes China, arguing that meaningful 21st-century arms control is impossible without its participation. Experts cited in the report estimate China currently possesses about 550 strategic nuclear launch systems, fewer than the roughly 800 each held by the United States and Russia.

Public transport across Germany was largely paralyzed on Monday as thousands of bus and tram workers went on strike amid freezing temperatures. The strike, called by the major trade union Verdi, affected nearly all of Germany’s 16 federal states except one, leaving passengers stranded at empty stops. About 150 municipal transport companies suspended operations in cities including Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen, causing widespread travel disruption.

Verdi said it decided to strike after talks with municipal and state employers over working conditions broke down last week. Representing around 100,000 transport workers, the union is demanding shorter shifts, longer rest breaks, and higher pay for night and weekend work. Verdi’s chief negotiator, Serhat Kanyurt, stated that the strike began as planned and urged transport authorities to return to negotiations.

Union officials said services in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Freiburg would remain halted all day. Deutsche Bahn, the national rail operator, confirmed its S-Bahn and long-distance trains were running normally as its employees are not part of Verdi. Union leaders warned that if no progress is made in talks scheduled for February 9, more severe actions could follow.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s foreign policy, accusing the American administration of destroying the global order. Speaking at an event in Berlin on Wednesday night, Steinmeier urged the international community to prevent the world from turning into a “den of robbers,” where lawless powers seize whatever they want. He warned that global democracy is under unprecedented attack.

Referring to recent U.S. actions such as efforts to oust Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Steinmeier described them as a “historic rupture.” He compared the current behavior of the United States to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, calling both major threats to the world order. He emphasized that the practice of powerful nations treating other regions as their private property must end immediately.

Although the German presidency is largely ceremonial, Steinmeier’s strong remarks have drawn significant attention within Germany, highlighting growing concern over U.S. foreign conduct and its implications for international stability.

Harry Kane has achieved a new milestone in the German Bundesliga, becoming the fastest player to reach 100 goal contributions. The Bayern Munich striker reached the mark with a goal in a 4–0 victory over Heidenheim, helping his team strengthen their lead at the top of the table by nine points. Kane scored in stoppage time after earlier goals from Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, and Luis Díaz.

This record underscores Kane’s remarkable consistency since joining Bayern. In the current season, he has scored 30 goals in 25 matches across all competitions, including 19 in the Bundesliga. His 81 goals and 19 assists in league play make him the quickest to achieve a century of goal involvements, surpassing Dutch legend Arjen Robben, who needed 119 matches to reach the same feat.

The record further cements Kane’s status as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards. Bayern’s strong form positions them well for the new year, with Kane’s performance continuing to drive their domestic and continental ambitions.

Hundreds of demonstrators marched through Berlin’s Kreuzberg district on Tuesday evening to express solidarity with Palestinians and protest Israel’s continuing military operations in Gaza. Participants gathered at Hohenstaufen Square, carrying lanterns and candles as they moved toward Hallesches Tor subway station. The rally, reported by Anadolu Agency, featured Palestinian flags and chants such as “Free Palestine,” while protesters criticized the German government’s support for Israel.

Organizers and participants condemned what they described as a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, citing figures that nearly 70,700 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed since October 2023, with more than 171,000 injured. Protesters accused Western nations of remaining silent in the face of widespread destruction across the enclave.

Analysts view the Berlin torchlight march as part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Europe, reflecting growing public concern over civilian casualties and calls for stronger international intervention to halt the violence.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that Germany is prepared to send troops to Ukraine as part of a European-led multinational coalition, emphasizing that the mission would not be under U.S. leadership. Speaking to state broadcaster ZDF, Merz said Berlin supports a 'coalition of the willing' that could include European nations along with Canada, Australia, and others.

The statement followed two days of talks in Berlin involving Ukraine, the United States, and several European countries, where participants discussed forming a European-led force to assist Ukrainian defense operations and secure air and maritime zones. Merz suggested such a deployment could help secure a ceasefire with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously rejected any foreign troop presence in Ukraine, but Merz noted that Moscow has sometimes reversed earlier refusals.

Analysts say Germany’s stance signals a shift toward stronger European strategic autonomy in the Ukraine conflict. Further consultations are expected among EU and NATO partners to define the coalition’s scope and mandate.