Boris Pistorius

Germany sought Tuesday to downplay an audio leak of senior military personnel discussing the war in Ukraine, blaming individual error and stressing that Berlin still had the trust of allies.

A 38-minute recording of the talks, in which the officers debated the possible use of German-made Taurus missiles by Ukraine, was posted online late Friday on Russian social media.

The Kremlin spokesman told reporters that Russia had taken steps in this regard and invited the German ambassador in Moscow to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, RIA Novosti reported.
Peskov also pointed out that the conversation between German officers about the planned strikes on Crimea shows the direct involvement of the West in the conflict in Ukraine.

Greece has formally agreed to participate in and lead a European Union maritime security operation in the Red Sea to protect commercial shipping from attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen.

Türkiye has joined a Germany-led defense shield project that aims to strengthen the European anti-ballistic air defense system, formally known as the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).

Amid growing concerns over the reliability of the United States' nuclear shield under a potential second term of Donald Trump, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner has suggested the possibility of a European nuclear shield, with contributions from the United Kingdom and France.

Armin Papperger, CEO of the renowned German arms company "Rheinmetall," issued a stark warning, asserting that Europe requires a decade to achieve full readiness to defend itself. Citing concerns over depleted weapons depots and the redirection of ammunition to Ukraine, Papperger's remarks echo a growing sense of urgency in the face of evolving geopolitical tensions.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday after meeting with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Belgrade that they had had an open and sincere discussion and that Serbia would safeguard regional stability.

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will receive German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Belgrade on Wednesday, the presidential press office has announced in a statement.

The meeting in the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic is scheduled for 3.30 pm.

Day 696 of the invasion of Ukraine. Summary of key events in the last 24 hours:

Europe's efforts to boost arms production and help Ukraine to fend off Russia's invasion are facing an unexpected obstacle in a German local government.

The city council in Troisdorf, which has a population close to 80,000, has for the time being blocked plans put forward by a major arms company to expand production locally.