Background and history

For many years, the international community has been concerned about Iran’s nuclear programme. In response, the UN Security Council agreed on restrictions for Iran and imposed sanctions as far back as 2006.

In an attempt to resolve the conflict about Iran’s nuclear programme through negotiations, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, China and Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) in July 2015. Under this agreement, Iran committed to significantly curtailing its nuclear programme. In return, sanctions were to be eased.

In 2018, the United States withdrew from the JCPoA. Since 2019, Iran has gradually discontinued its nuclear obligations under the agreement and increased its uranium enrichment to up to 60 percent. At the same time, Iran has reduced the transparency of its nuclear programme by restricting access for inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

This strengthens the significant doubts that Iran’s nuclear programme serves exclusively peaceful purposes. Some activities cannot be plausibly explained. For example, Iran is the only non-nuclear-weapon state in the Non-Proliferation Treaty that has enriched uranium to such a high level.

Triggering of the snapback mechanism

After years of Iran not adhering to its obligations under the JCPoA, Germany, France and the United Kingdom triggered the snapback mechanism under the Agreement in August 2025, leading to the re-entry into force of the earlier UN Security Council resolutions, which entail measures such as a complete ban on uranium enrichment and strict inspections by the IAEA.

Even after the triggering of the snapback mechanism, Germany, France and the United Kingdom continued striving to achieve a diplomatic solution in order to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The crucial prerequisite for this is that Iran itself shows an interest in reaching a negotiated solution.
 

Iran’s violations of the Non-Proliferation Treaty

In addition to its violations of what was agreed under the JCPoA, Iran is also in breach of legal obligations arising from the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1970, which counters the spread of nuclear weapons by obliging non-nuclear-weapon states to renounce nuclear weapons and to place their nuclear installations under international safeguards.

Since June 2025, Iran has not permitted inspections of the proliferation-relevant Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow nuclear facilities and is no longer meeting its reporting obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The unknown location of around 440 kilos of highly enriched uranium is a particular cause of concern. In theory, this uranium, if enriched further, could provide enough material to produce ten nuclear weapons.

Possible attacks against Iranian nuclear facilities during US and Israeli airstrikes against Iran

On the basis of satellite images – given that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is currently not in Iran – the IAEA Director General determined that there had been an attack on the entrance building to the Natanz nuclear facility during the fighting in March.

It is not yet known exactly what damage was caused. It also remains unclear whether other facilities were hit. So far, the IAEA has not detected any increased radiation levels. 

Find out more:

• Joint Statement by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on the Initiation of the Snapback Process
• Text of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

Greece is a strategic and close EU partner for us. In summer 2027, it will take over the Presidency of the Council of the EU. As a result, numerous topics are on the agenda, particularly as regards the EU’s working methods and future direction. We are working together to ensure that Europe is secure and strong and that it maintains its economic power worldwide. These topics are at the heart of the talks that Foreign Minister Wadephul will hold today in Athens with Foreign Minister Gerapetritis and Prime Minister Mitsotakis. 

Before departing for Athens, Foreign Minister Wadephul stated: 

Greece is a strategic anchor for us in southeastern Europe and a close friend and partner in the European Union and NATO. My visit to Athens today is sending a clear signal that Germany and Greece are forging even closer ties – for a Europe that protects its interests, defends its values and is capable of action in an increasingly turbulent world.

Making Europe more secure 

In a crisis-ridden world, we need to preserve Europe’s security. We are doing so not only in northern and eastern Europe, where we feel the threat posed by Russia particularly strongly, but also by ensuring credible deterrence at NATO’s southeast flank. To this end, Germany and Greece want to work more closely together in Europe and NATO, be it on arms, defence capabilities or joint planning.

Germany would like to expand its arms cooperation with Greece. Foreign Minister Wadephul’s visit to Skaramangas Shipyards – the global market leader for submarine maintenance – in Athens also reflects this intention. 

Making the EU fit for the future

Greece and Germany share the goal of making the EU fit for the future. To achieve this, we are working together on a modern EU budget for the 2028-2034 period, that is, a budget that sets clear priorities and can respond quickly to new threat situations. The EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework always sets the budget for seven years and must be agreed by all EU member states. 

Ensuring even closer economic integration

We also aim to achieve even closer economic integration. The Greek economy has made impressive progress in recent years and is continuing to grow dynamically. German companies also benefit from this. Foreign Minister Wadephul will visit the young Athens-based German digital company, OroraTech, an outstanding example of German-Greek economic cooperation and innovation. Using the latest satellite technology, OroraTech is establishing a nationwide wildfire management platform in Greece, thus also creating jobs in the country. 

Ties between Germany and Greece

Ties between Germany and Greece are shown not only in Germans’ love of Greece as a holiday destination – almost six million German tourists visited the country last year – but also by the fact that the Goethe-Institut in Athens is the oldest German institute abroad in the world. Furthermore, the long-standing German Archaeological Institute has been active in Greece for over 150 years. The new German-Greek Youth Office is a more recent addition. For the past five years, it has brought together young people from our two countries, enabling them to experience European cooperation at first hand in exchange programmes. 

We live in a world where one crisis follows another. That is why it is so important to have strong partners like Morocco that are committed to security and stability, as well as to a rules-based international order with the United Nations at its heart. Germany and Morocco have maintained diplomatic relations for 70 years. And we want to continue to strengthen and expand our partnership. To this end, Foreign Minister Wadephul is meeting his Moroccan counterpart for a strategic dialogue, which takes place every two years in Germany or Morocco. This time, the Foreign Ministers are meeting in the Moroccan capital Rabat.

Foreign Minister Wadephul stated prior to his departure:

In the strategic dialogue with my counterpart Nasser Bourita, we will address a wide range of international issues. Morocco has declared its willingness to help with the implementation of the 20-point plan for Gaza and to be part of an international security force. This is evidence of the country’s stabilising role in the region, a role that we highly value and are counting on. We also have the same objective as Morocco when it comes to stabilising the Sahel region, in order to mitigate the causes of crises and displacement there.

However, Morocco is not only a regional anchor of stability, but also a real economic powerhouse. More than 300 German companies have invested in Morocco. The young and well-qualified population is a real competitive advantage – especially for technologically advanced sectors such as the automotive and aviation industries. Foreign Minister Wadephul will visit an automotive supplier to gain an insight into how we can make even better use of the huge potential of our economic relations. The Foreign Minister will be accompanied by a business delegation.

Foreign Minister Wadephul stated prior to his departure:

Already now, the country is our second-largest trading partner on the African continent. And there is significant further potential for growth in our economic relations, particularly in the areas of renewable energies, critical raw materials and hydrogen. Moreover, Moroccan skilled workers are, for example, providing valuable support in the health and care sector in Germany.

Other key issues on the agenda of the strategic dialogue include cooperation in the spheres of skilled immigration and migration, the fight against transnational organised crime and terrorism.

Last but not least, the Foreign Minister’s visit will also focus on football. After all, the Moroccans are at least as enthusiastic about football as we are. The whole country is already looking forward to the 2030 World Cup, which Morocco will co-host with Portugal and Spain. Together with sports ambassador Karim Bellarabi, who personifies the links between our two countries in a very special way, Foreign Minister Wadephul will visit a training centre which recruits young talent.

War in Ukraine and the Middle East and rising energy prices are issues that are on many people’s minds. The international community established the UN as an organisation to find solutions to such crises. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is travelling to the UN headquarters in New York today.

No single country can resolve the crises of our time by itself. When peace and security are at stake, the UN Security Council must take action. The Security Council can provide the international community with legitimate means to resolve wars and conflicts. This is another reason why Germany is applying for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027/2028 term. If Germany is elected to the Security Council, we will focus on conflict prevention, crisis resolution, climate and security. With respect for the rules of the UN Charter and the perspectives of every member state, with a fair distribution of resources and with a commitment to peace and security as our top priority. Germany has therefore adopted the motto “Respect – Justice – Peace” for its candidacy.

Foreign Minister Wadephul stated the following in this regard prior to his departure:

As one of the world’s leading economies and one of the UN system’s most important donors, reliable rules and global partnerships are key priorities for us. And we want to take on even greater direct responsibility for this by presenting our candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council from 2027. Germany wants to help shape the world’s security architecture – for peace and security, with respect and justice.

On Monday, Foreign Minister Wadephul will address the Security Council on issues of maritime security. The focus here will primarily be on the international community’s approach to Iran and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the world’s most important trade routes. One in five litres of oil must pass through this strait. When such vital shipping routes are blocked, many people in Germany feel the impact at the petrol pumps. Elsewhere, hardship is severe due to a lack of fertiliser from the Gulf states and expected crop failures.

Foreign Minister Wadephul stated the following in this regard prior to his departure:

In the Persian Gulf, Iran is attacking the global economy. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz reminds us how vulnerable our prosperity and global supply chains are. Those countries that have neither the means nor the resources to build up reserves are particularly affected. A lack of energy and fertiliser greatly jeopardises the world’s food supply. Today in New York, I will therefore call on the UN Security Council to live up to its responsibility. By stepping up and taking responsibility now, the Security Council is strengthening the international order.

Germany wants to help ensure that merchant ships can once again pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz; the UN Security Council could, for instance, issue a mandate to this effect. One way for the international community to intervene in conflicts, deploy peacekeeping missions or secure international shipping routes would be via a mandate from the UN Security Council. 

Germany firmly believes that global issues can only be resolved in the long term through the cooperation of international partners and institutions. Many UN organisations undertake tasks on behalf of the international community that no one else is currently able to perform. For example, humanitarian assistance would be inconceivable without major UN organisations such as the World Food Programme and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Many people in war-torn regions such as the Sudan and Gaza are only able to survive with their help. In Lebanon, the UN Children’s Fund UNICEF, with Germany’s support, protects the most vulnerable in the current conflict. The World Bank promotes education, health and infrastructure projects in a wide range of countries, making it easier for them to secure loans, while the International Court of Justice ensures compliance with international law. All of these organisations are part of the UN and its specialised agencies.

That is why Germany needs the UN – and the UN needs strong member states such as Germany. More than 30 UN organisations with well in excess of 1000 staff members are based in Germany – including in Bonn, Berlin, Munich and Hamburg. Furthermore, Germany is becoming an increasingly important location for the UN. In January, the UNDP, as the leading organisation for development cooperation, decided to relocate part of its headquarters to Bonn. Germany is the second-largest contributor to the UN system and is involved in peacekeeping missions around the world with military, police and civilian forces.

At the same time, the complex conflicts of our time remind us that even the UN can reach its limits. The UN system needs to be reformed in order to ensure that the UN is able fulfil its role as a guardian of peace and security even more effectively in the future. Foreign Minister Wadephul will also discuss this in New York with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has initiated comprehensive UN reforms. Germany supports this process.

Foreign Minister Wadephul stated the following in this regard prior to his departure:

To ensure the organisation continues to make a valuable contribution to a world that is witnessing ever more conflicts, we must summon up the courage to embark on a renewal of the United Nations. If the UN is to resolve present-day and future conflicts, the organisation must remain credible and become more capable of action.

Johann Wadephul’s talks in Dublin with his Irish counterpart Helen McEntee will focus on support for Ukraine, European Security and Defence Policy and EU competitiveness. The EU must reduce red tape and adopt a modernised multiannual financial framework. This is the only way that Europe can assume greater responsibility for its security and defence and at the same time remain economically strong.

Foreign Minister Wadephul issued the following statement prior to his departure:

Times have grown tougher in the international political arena, and every day makes us realise that global events don’t slow down for our sake. It’s important that we draw the right conclusions from this. The answer to precarious certainties must not be to batten down the hatches and hope for smoother seas ahead. The answer is to refocus on our strengths. The foundation of our prosperity, the guarantor of our freedom and the central key to our security is indeed Europe. Europe must be strengthened and modernised, given greater ability to act and made more competitive. 

I am convinced, especially since crisis mode is increasingly becoming the new normal, that key structural reforms must no longer be delayed. Every month, and every week, counts. 

Ireland is therefore assuming the EU Council Presidency in July at a decisive juncture for our continent. Following the elections in Hungary, we now have an unusually good window of opportunity that we want to use, and that we must use, to further and sustainably strengthen Europe. 

We want to finish negotiations on an EU multiannual financial framework that gives us the leeway and flexibility we need to better respond to crises. In Brussels, we want to set in motion vital reforms in the sphere of competition, so that we can better use the economic potential of our European Union. We want to strengthen the institutions by overcoming the manoeuvring of recent years by individual countries to block processes out of a lack of solidarity. And we want to secure peace in Europe by maintaining our decisive support for Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s illegal war of aggression.

On all of these matters, we are very much aligned with Ireland. In Dublin, we will therefore discuss how Germany can support the Irish EU Council Presidency, so that Europe can take decisive steps forward over the coming weeks and months.

Germany and Ireland have been working closely together for many years, notably on the basis of the Germany-Ireland Joint Plan of Action that has been in effect since 2024. 

In view of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU must act as one. At the same time, we must enhance the capacity for action of the EU and its institutions, so that we can more effectively address future crises. This could be done, for example, by extending qualified majority voting – for instance, with regard to sanctions and the many incremental steps of EU enlargement. 

Another focus of the visit is economic cooperation. Foreign Minister Wadephul and his colleague McEntee will visit the Siemens Healthineers factory in Swords, which produces diagnostic equipment for hospitals and labs. The facility exemplifies Europe’s strengths: a functioning internal market, research, industrial know-how and free world trade.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: Deadlock must be overcome

Ukraine has been defending itself against Russian aggression for more than four years now. In view of the ongoing tense situation, it remains the key task of the European Union to resolutely maintain and further extend its support. Support for Ukraine is therefore also at the top of the agenda in Luxembourg today. At the start of the Foreign Affairs Council, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will join the discussions via video link to report on the current situation.

One priority of today’s meeting is to overcome the current deadlock. The results of the elections in Budapest last week are an opportunity to now make progress on implementing the support pledged for Ukraine as soon as possible, as a united EU with a common objective. This includes in particular the implementation of the 90 billion euro loan, the adoption of the 20^th sanctions package against Russia and progress on EU accession negotiations with Ukraine. Even though no formal decisions on this will be made today, Germany is working to ensure that it can happen as soon as possible, and not only after a change of government in Budapest.

Moreover, the German-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations last week underscored once again the scale of the support Ukraine requires. Alongside European instruments such as the Ukraine Support Loan, bilateral support from the member states therefore remains crucial, particularly in the sphere of military assistance. Germany will, not least, make available further Patriot systems for Ukraine and is urging its partners to provide additional contributions, also within the context of the air defence initiative.

At the same time, we must keep up the pressure on Russia. The 20^th sanctions package should now be adopted as quickly as possible. It is also important to ensure that Russia does not reap economic benefits from ongoing conflicts in other regions, particularly in the Middle East.

The situation in the Middle East: Restoring stability

Intensive discussions will also be held at today’s Foreign Affairs Council on the situation in the Middle East and the Gulf region. As well as the war in Iran, they will centre on economic relations with Syria, and the situation in the Palestinian territories and in Lebanon.

With regard to Iran, Germany continues to advocate a negotiated solution. For the conflict has serious ramifications for the whole world, not least due to the crucial importance of the Strait of Hormuz for international trade, global energy supply and humanitarian supply chains. The United States has put forward an offer of dialogue, and third countries are working intensively to set up a second round of talks. Together, we as Europeans urgently press Iran to accept this offer. We call upon Iran to restore free and safe shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz immediately. Close consultation with the Gulf states, which also border this waterway, is vital on this issue.

With Syria we want to drive forward EU measures to facilitate trade and investment. For economic recovery is a prerequisite for a successful transition process leading to a stable and secure Syria.

Germany has a clear stance with regard to Israel and the Palestinian territories. We clearly oppose the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. It stands in the way of a two-state solution and represents a step towards the de facto annexation of the West Bank. At the same time and for this very reason, it remains important for us to maintain dialogue with Israel and find ways to put efforts to achieve a two-state solution back onto the agenda.

In Lebanon, the ceasefire and the first direct talks between Lebanon and Israel in decades give cause for hope. Germany and Europe encourage both sides to continue along the path of diplomacy to reach viable agreements to protect civilians on both sides. At today’s Foreign Affairs Council, Foreign Minister Wadephul will also meet Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss the situation in the country and the region.

The Sudan: Focus on humanitarian assistance and political process

Three years after the outbreak of civil war, the humanitarian situation in the Sudan remains dramatic. Today, the EU Foreign Affairs Council will follow on from the international Sudan conference, which took place in Berlin on 15 April and which succeeded in mobilising more than 1.5 billion euro in humanitarian assistance. Half of the pledges came from the EU and its member states. Germany alone is earmarking 232 million euro in humanitarian assistance for the Sudan and affected neighbouring countries. 

Today, Germany will report to the EU Foreign Ministers on the outcome of the conference. The goal is to further dovetail international support and achieve tangible progress for the people.

Another priority is to protect critical infrastructure in the Sudan. Germany is calling for the relevant agreements that were negotiated through mediation efforts by EU Special Representative Annette Weber to be signed swiftly. They are to form the basis for agreements between the EU and the parties to the conflict and will play an important role in protecting the civilian population.

Over the past three years, countless numbers of people have suffered and died every day from hunger and thirst and have been the victims of violence and displacement. Over 13 million people have been forcibly displaced by the war, four million of whom have fled to the Sudan’s neighbouring countries. Almost half of the entire population does not have enough to eat. Two-thirds of the population relies on humanitarian support. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed.

There are no limits to the extent of the violence and humanitarian needs. Despite this almost inconceivable dimension, the world’s biggest human‑made humanitarian crisis has largely been forgotten.

What are the aims of the conference?

In hosting the international Sudan conference, we are ensuring that the suffering of the people of the Sudan is not forgotten and that peace endeavours remain on the international political agenda. 

The aim of the conference is to make progress on the peace efforts and to mobilise further urgently needed humanitarian assistance for the suffering civilian population in the Sudan. The conference also provides a forum for civilian representatives of various political blocs to discuss paths to a civil transition and prospects for a democratically legitimised post-war order.

It is crucial to continue increasing the pressure on the warring parties in order to achieve a ceasefire as quickly as possible and to facilitate a return to the negotiating table. Neighbouring African countries will also be represented at the conference, as we want to provide them with support specifically for taking in Sudanese refugees.

Why is this important?

The international community has a responsibility to alleviate the suffering of the people in the Sudan. Germany is among the world’s largest humanitarian donors to the country. We will significantly increase our support at the conference.

The parties to the conflict, above all the RSF, must ensure that aid organisations have full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access. Only in this way can the people in need reliably receive vital help.

Who is attending the conference?

Delegations from over 60 countries and representatives of over 50 Sudanese and international non-governmental organisations are taking part in the conference, as are representatives of a large number of UN organisations and international financial institutions (including OCHA, UNHCR, WHO, WFP, UNDP, ICRC, the World Bank and the African Development Bank Group).

The town of Bucha is a symbol of Russian atrocities and the cruelty that Putin’s illegal war of aggression has brought upon Ukraine. But it also stands for hope – hope for liberation and an end to Russia’s imperial fantasies. 

When the Ukrainian army recaptured this suburb of the capital Kyiv four years ago, they were met with scenes of horror: hundreds of dead civilians, some in mass graves, others left behind on the streets, in houses and in backyards. Survivors of the month-long occupation told of executions, rapes and torture. 

To mark the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from Russian occupation, the EU Foreign Ministers are meeting in this very place to send a clear message.

Bucha stands as a symbol of countless other Russian war crimes. The massacres of Izyum, the bombing of the Kramatorsk railway station, the siege of Mariupol – wherever Putin’s Russia goes, murder and barbarism ensue. But Bucha also stands for the strength of the Ukrainian army in recapturing large swathes of territory, as well as for the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people. For their right to a future in peace and freedom, free from Russian oppression.

– Foreign Minister Wadephul on his arrival in Ukraine

Crimes will not go unpunished

The German Government is helping Ukraine to establish structures to ensure that those responsible for crimes are held accountable. This includes, for example, the creation of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. It also involves the establishment of the Claims Commission, which is intended to ensure that Russia pays for concrete war damage in Ukraine. Germany is a founding member. Germany is also helping to ensure that these crimes do not go unpunished by deploying experts to assist in the preservation of evidence and investigations. 

Today’s meeting also sends a clear signal to Russia that those responsible for this war and the crimes that have been committed must not go unpunished – we owe this to the victims and to their families and friends. That is why the Federal Government is supporting Ukraine in gathering evidence and documenting Russia’s crimes.

– Foreign Minister Wadephul on his arrival in Ukraine

Ukraine remains a foreign policy priority in Europe

Ukraine is part of our European family. By fighting for security and freedom in their country, the people of Ukraine are also defending our security. The meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Bucha and Kyiv underscores that Ukraine remains our top security priority in Europe. We stand shoulder to shoulder with this country under attack and will continue to do everything we can to support Ukraine, including on its path towards EU membership. At the same time, we must keep up the pressure on Russia. After all, what strengthens Ukraine also protects Europe. 

You can find more information on Germany’s support for Ukraine here. 
 

The village of Krzyżowa, known in German as Kreisau, has a special place in German-Polish history. It is where the members of the Kreisau Circle met from 1940 onwards, becoming the heart of civilian resistance to the Nazi dictatorship. The Second World War unleashed by Nazi Germany, and the German occupation of Poland, inflicted immeasurable suffering on the Polish people. In Krzyżowa, Foreign Minister Wadephul and his Polish counterpart Minister Sikorski will remember the crimes for which Germans were responsible.

Nothing can ever undo the immeasurable suffering that we Germans inflicted on Poland through war and occupation. At the same time, we have taken on responsibility for ensuring that this most heinous chapter never becomes the last one in our exceptionally closely intertwined history.

Commitment to a Europe united in peace and security is our answer to the cataclysms of the past. It is our enduring responsibility as Germans never to flag in this commitment. We must always seek what unites us despite differences between us.

^{– Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for Krzyżowa}

Krzyżowa as a site of German-Polish reconciliation

Krzyżowa also stands for German-Polish reconciliation and friendship, and joint efforts for a united and free Europe. With the memories of the Reconciliation Mass of 1989 attended by Federal Chancellor Helmut Kohl and Polish Prime Minister Tadeusz Mazowiecki, and with the International Youth Meeting Centre established in the village in 1998, Krzyżowa is a place where people from different regions and a wide variety of cultural backgrounds meet to discuss, listen to one another and engage in action together. 

Together for Europe

Thirty-five years ago, the German-Polish Friendship Treaty was signed. Together with the Border Treaty of 1990, it formed the foundation for reconciliation, good neighbourliness, partnership and friendship between Germany and Poland following the end of the division of Europe. Today the two countries are close partners in the EU and in NATO. As members of the Weimar Triangle, we coordinate closely with one another in order to strengthen our shared Europe. 

We want to further expand this close cooperation. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine makes it urgent to strengthen German-Polish cooperation on security and defence. But we will also continue to forge deeper relations in the fields of business, culture and youth exchange.

I firmly believe that this German-Polish cohesion and crucial commitment to peace and freedom are more important today than they have been since the end of the Second World War. It will be decided in Ukraine whether the European peaceful order can prevail or if we will return to our continent’s darkest days. The fact that Germany and Poland are among Ukraine’s most resolute supporters in its defence against Russia and that we stand unwaveringly alongside the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom is thus vital for security, but also the essential lesson from our past.

^{– Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for Krzyżowa}

 

The Foreign Ministers of the G7 countries Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States are meeting under the French Presidency at the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay near Paris on Thursday and Friday. Amid an increasingly fragile global security situation and the economic risks that this entails, the G7 stands for taking joint responsibility and seeking solutions with determination. It is precisely in such a situation that the G7 is indispensable: as a community of strong democracies, as a forum for open dialogue in a spirit of trust and as an economic motor in times of global crises.

Together for freedom and security

The meeting is focusing on two issues that will play a major role with regard to peace, stability and prosperity in the years to come, namely Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and the war in the Middle East. In addition, the Ministers will address current crises such as in the Sudan, the situation in the Indo-Pacific and global security issues.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine remains the G7’s absolute priority under the French Presidency as Ukraine’s security is our security at the end of the day. This applies to Europe and the North Atlantic. The Ministers will hold intensive discussions on how to achieve a just and lasting peace and how support for Ukraine can be further strengthened and safeguarded in the long term. This involves continuing to increase pressure on Russia. Together with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, the G7 intends to send a clear signal once again that it stands firmly by Ukraine’s side. The threat posed by Russia is the greatest challenge to security and prosperity in Europe.

Foreign Minister Wadephul stated the following prior to the meeting:

We are facing huge security and economic challenges, challenges that directly affect us in particular as the G7 – the world’s largest industrial nations. We need this global cooperation for security, freedom and prosperity. All of us are already feeling the economic impact of the Iranian regime’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in our own countries – with long-term impacts on the global economy that are very difficult to predict. This demonstrates once again how closely intertwined security and prosperity are.

Our goal is clear, and I share my British and French counterparts’ assessment here. We want to prevent further destabilisation, safeguard our economic freedom and develop prospects for an end to the hostilities and for the day after.

The second key issue is our joint support for Ukraine, which we must not allow to crumble now. This would be a strategic mistake with respect to Euro-Atlantic security. Putin must know that anyone who reduces cities in Ukraine to rubble and terrorises the civilian population cannot expect any leniency. Ukraine must be able to rely on the G7.

In focus: the humanitarian system and the Chernobyl Shelter

In times of major humanitarian crises and uncertainties, another key focus of the discussions is the future structure of the humanitarian system and reform efforts with regard to UN peacekeeping missions.

Moreover, repairs to the Chernobyl reactor’s shelter are on the agenda. The facility has not been fully operational since a drone strike in 2025. Without comprehensive repairs, the shelter’s long-term stability and protective functions – and thus the safe containment of the reactor – are in jeopardy. The G7 will discuss this project together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Ukraine. Germany played a key role in mobilising funds during its own G7 Presidency in 2022. The focus today is on assuming responsibility, together with France and our partners, for the long-term safety of the site – also with a view to the 40th anniversary of the nuclear reactor disaster in April 2026.

Joint response to the war in the Middle East

Iran’s role and the situation in the Middle East will feature prominently in the discussions. The Ministers will hone in on efforts to secure maritime routes and shipping, including in the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent maritime routes. They will also touch on the stability of energy markets and the security of supply chains, as well as on support for the countries unjustifiably attacked by Iran or by Iranian proxies. The G7 Foreign Ministers recently reaffirmed this in a Joint Statement, underlining their unwavering support for the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the affected partners.

We are already feeling the economic impact of the war in Europe and around the world. The Strait of Hormuz must be made navigable again as soon as possible so that urgently needed supplies of energy and goods can relieve the strain on global markets. The UN is already warning of dramatic shortages, for example with respect to global food security, should this fail to happen. It is absolutely clear that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and further destabilise the region. We are committed to this together with our partners.

Other regional priorities: The Sudan, Haiti and the Indo-Pacific

Those who seek to assume responsibility for international security cannot just focus on crises on their own doorstep. While the Sudan, Haiti and the Indo-Pacific may seem far away, their stability has a direct impact on Europe – from migration and food security to trade routes.

The G7 is an informal forum that also involves other partners. In addition to the member states – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union as an observer – key global partners have also been invited to the meeting near Paris. The Foreign Ministers of Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Ukraine will attend the meeting, as will the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States; the European Commission has observer status) has, for decades, provided a framework for informal and open dialogue on current global challenges. France has held the annually rotating Presidency since 1 January 2026.

Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the G7 has once again clearly demonstrated its particular value as a key coordination mechanism for sanctions and long-term support for Kyiv. At the same time, the crises in the Middle East, Africa and the Indo-Pacific have highlighted just how closely geopolitical and geo-economic issues are intertwined today.

Germany is committed to ensuring that the G7 remains an important instrument for achieving concrete progress towards a more just world – from support for Ukraine and the reform of the multilateral system to the security of our supply chains.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has brought immeasurable suffering to millions of people. The war is directly affecting not only the Ukrainian soldiers who are defending their homeland and Europe’s security on the front lines, but also the civilian population, including elderly people, women and children. The Russian armed forces’ deliberate attacks on civilian targets such as schools, hospitals, kindergartens and residential buildings, as well as civilian infrastructure, including power plants that produce heat and electricity, and the water supply, are particularly perfidious. Russia has once again intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure to a massive degree during one of the country’s harshest winters, seeking to wear down the Ukrainian people and deprive them of vital resources. Providing swift and targeted assistance to the Ukrainians therefore continues to be a top priority of the German Government.

For Ukraine to protect itself and defend our peace in Europe, the German Government has to date (as of 24 February 2026) made available or earmarked for the coming years approximately 41 billion euro in bilateral civilian support and approximately 55.5 billion euro in military assistance. This aid includes air defence, substantial winter relief programmes and energy assistance, help for people who have fled Ukraine or been displaced within the country, humanitarian assistance and mine clearance operations, as well as stabilisation projects that provide urgently needed supplies for civilian security forces and bolster the resilience of the Ukrainian people through targeted support measures. During the coldest winter since the start of the war, Germany has provided approximately 400 million euro for a “winter package” specifically aimed at supporting the energy infrastructure and humanitarian assistance. 

Germany is also providing support for Ukraine’s process of accession to the European Union, including the necessary reform process. Moreover, Ukraine and Germany signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement on security cooperation on 16 February 2024.

Political support and peace efforts

We firmly believe that, for there to be sustainable peace, Ukraine must be strong. Our consistent support is crucial to this end. Together with our partners, we have been making every effort to bring about peace through a diplomatic agreement. We support US President Trump’s objective of ending Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, and our goal continues to be a just and lasting peace. Ukraine has repeatedly signalled its willingness to negotiate. Europe expressly supports this and stands firmly by Ukraine’s side. Germany is prepared, in the event of a ceasefire and a peace agreement, to continue to assume responsibility for Ukraine’s security, including with security guarantees and contributions as part of a Coalition of the Willing. Furthermore, we are discussing issues relating to a ceasefire, security in the Black Sea, reconstruction and the prosecution of Russian war crimes in a number of international forums – including in the United Nations, NATO, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, the G7, the EU and specifically established forums such as the Coalition of the Willing and the Berlin format.

Ukrainian President Zelensky has regularly stressed that Ukraine is willing to negotiate and has specifically said that he is ready to enter into an unconditional ceasefire. Russia, on the other hand, is holding firm to its maximum demands and is stepping up its attacks on Ukraine. We are therefore maintaining our support for Ukraine, because we believe that if Russia ends its attacks, that will be the end of the war. If Ukraine stops defending itself, that will be the end of Ukraine.

A regularly updated overview of bilateral support can be found here.

 

Military support for Ukraine

Ukraine must be able to defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression, which violates international law. Germany is therefore supporting Ukraine by supplying arms and equipment, from its Bundeswehr stockpiles and from defence industry deliveries that are paid for out of the German budget. When providing this assistance, the German Government tailors its aid to the needs of Ukraine and continuously explores where it would be useful and possible to step up its assistance, e.g. with regard to air defence. Germany has made available or earmarked for the coming years 55.5 billion euro (as of 24 February 2026) in bilateral military support since the start of Russia’s war of aggression. 

In the EU, agreement was reached in 2021 on the establishment of European Peace Facility (EPF) support measures for the armed forces of Ukraine to the tune of 6.1 billion euro. These measures take the form of a refinancing mechanism for equipment supplied on a bilateral basis and repair services provided by the EU member states. Member states contribute to this on the basis of a cost share formula that reflects their respective gross national income. Germany’s contribution amounts to approximately 25 percent. Mandatory contributions totalling 645 million euro have already been paid by the country. In March 2024, a decision was taken to establish the Ukraine Assistance Fund within the EPF, and the target for its initial volume was set at an additional five billion euro by the year 2027. A total of over 87,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been trained as part of the EU mission EUMAM, nearly 25,000 of them in Germany.

Alongside other NATO allies and partners, Germany has funded urgently needed weapons deliveries from US stockpiles to Ukraine via NATO’s PURL (Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List) mechanism, contributing 700 million US dollars to date, including modern Patriot guided missiles for ballistic missile defence. The PURL support packages include military equipment that is either not manufactured by the European defence industry or that can be delivered at the intended scale more swiftly by the US than by European partners or Canada. This includes, for example, critical air defence capabilities. These are urgently needed to counter Russia’s ongoing airstrikes, which are killing ever more civilians throughout Ukraine.

Stabilisation, humanitarian assistance, support for the energy sector and winter relief

Since the start of the war, Germany has provided 41 billion euro (as of 24 February 2026) in civilian aid to Ukraine. To strengthen the resilience of the Ukrainian state and its capacity to act, 245.9 million euro of the funds made available by the Federal Foreign Office since the start of Russia’s war of aggression have been allocated to stabilisation efforts. A particular focus is on the liberated and frontline areas as these regions have been particularly affected by the war. Urgently needed vehicles, generators and protective equipment for civilian security forces are being delivered there, for example. With our help, Russian war crimes are being documented and displaced persons within Ukraine are receiving support, thus strengthening the country’s resilience.

 

As part of the Enable & Enhance Initiative, the German Government is also providing support to bolster the resilience of border guards and the National Guard, as well as the police and civil defence with funds from the Federal Foreign Office totalling 317 million euro to date. Additional measures are already being implemented.

The Federal Foreign Office is also supporting Ukraine’s committed civil society, which is a key factor behind social cohesion in the country. Moreover, we are lending our assistance to the EU accession process that has been initiated as well as to judicial reform.

As one of the biggest donors worldwide and the largest donor in the EU, the Federal Foreign Office provides humanitarian assistance to humanitarian partner organisations in Ukraine and Ukraine’s neighbouring countries to alleviate the acute suffering of the population caused by Russia’s war of aggression. Since February 2022, the Federal Foreign Office has made available a total of more than 1.57 billion euro in humanitarian assistance, thereby helping Ukraine through four cold winters. 

Alongside our partners, we are also providing assistance particularly to those who have to stay behind near the front lines – such as the elderly, the seriously ill and people with disabilities – as well as to internally displaced persons all across Ukraine. We are placing a special focus on mental and psychosocial support for Ukrainians, as well as assistance in the case of gender-based and sexual violence, and in connection with the return and reintegration of abducted Ukrainian children.

Another priority of our support is the Ukrainian energy sector, which is the focus of Russian attacks. Germany is the largest bilateral donor to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund of the Energy Community, a European organisation. Since the war began, the German Government has provided a total of over 1.2 billion euro in support for the energy sector, making it the second-largest donor after the US. These funds help to provide emergency energy assistance to ensure that the population continues to have access to electricity, heating and water supplies. This includes repairs, creating additional capacity for electricity generation and protecting infrastructure. In addition, we are working with our Ukrainian partners to rebuild the energy infrastructure in a decentralised way, with a focus on energy efficiency and the expansion of renewable energy.

Additional funding of support through windfall profits, G7 loans and the International Monetary Fund

In response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine violating international law, assets of the Russian state in the EU were immobilised. It is clear that Russia will have to pay for the damage it has caused in Ukraine with its war. The UN General Assembly emphatically reaffirmed this duty based on the principle of state responsibility recognised under customary international law in a resolution adopted on 14 November 2022.

Furthermore, the G7 Heads of State and Government agreed at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in 2023 to release immobilised assets only once Russia has paid for the damage in Ukraine. In the meantime, the EU has agreed on a regulation to skim off the windfall profits of the central securities depositories. The regulation on windfall profits adopted by the EU has a firm foundation in EU law and is in accordance with international law. On the basis of this, the G7 announced on 25 October 2024 that it had agreed to make available to Ukraine a loan totalling around 45 billion euro (50 billion US dollars) using the windfall profits. The EU’s share of this loan was paid to Ukraine in instalments up to the end of 2025 in the form of an exceptional Macro-Financial Assistance loan amounting to 18.1 billion euro. In addition, at the European Council meeting on 18 December 2025, the Heads of Government, including Germany’s Federal Chancellor, agreed to provide Ukraine with a 90 billion euro loan for the years 2026 to 2027, on the basis of EU bonds issued on the capital markets for this purpose. 

Furthermore, also with Germany’s support, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has provided Ukraine with a loan programme that has made a total of 11.6 billion US dollars (approx. 9.8 billion euro) available since 2023. On 26 February 2026, a new four‑year loan programme for Ukraine totalling approximately 8.1 billion US dollars (6.7 billion euro) was approved, replacing the previous programme.

Documenting and punishing crimes committed as part of Russia's war of aggression

In its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is also severely violating international humanitarian law and committing massive human rights abuses in Ukraine, such as the killing and torture of prisoners of war and civilians. The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has promptly initiated investigations. Germany is supporting these investigations, both financially and by seconding experts. The German Government is also assisting the Ukrainian authorities in the collection of evidence, for example by supplying forensic equipment.

Germany supports the Register of Damage for Ukraine within the framework of the Council of Europe to prepare reparation claims based on damage caused by Russia’s war of aggression. The Register has its seat in The Hague and took up its work at the beginning of February 2024. Germany provides financial support – approximately two million euro to date – and has currently seconded one expert to assist in its work. The first decisions taken by the damage registry have been made since December 2024 and a total of over 100,000 damage claims have now been received. The registry will, in the medium term, be incorporated into the Claims Commission for Ukraine, which will examine the registered claims and determine the amount of compensation sought. Germany is among the first signatories of the agreement to this end, which was concluded in December 2025. Germany argues that violations of international law committed as part of Russia’s war of aggression should not go unpunished and therefore lends strong support to the envisaged establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

An unprecedented sanctions regime

For as long as Russia continues to brutally attack Ukraine, there must be consequences. The European Union has responded by imposing massive and unprecedented sanctions. It will continue to increase this pressure on Russia by all available means in order to limit its ability to wage its illegal war of aggression, so that it ends its war of aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions include restricting Russian access to capital markets, imposing substantial export bans, especially in the spheres of advanced technology, industry and energy infrastructure and placing a price cap on Russian oil exports to third countries. Other measures comprise imposing wide-ranging import bans, e.g. on coal, oil, iron and steel products, as well as gold and diamonds from Russia, taking tough measures targeting Russia’s aviation sector, and directly sanctioning Russia’s President Putin, Foreign Minister Lavrov, further political and military decision-makers, war criminals, propagandists and the network of oligarchs that supports them. EU sanctions also target Russia’s “shadow fleet” and its networks of third countries for circumventing sanctions, so that Russia’s income and supply with goods needed for the war are further curtailed. The German Government is also working closely with the EU Special Representative for Sanctions to this end. Moreover, the EU is actively countering Russia’s ongoing hybrid activities – in particular foreign manipulation of information and interference operations targeting the EU, its member states and partners – with sanctions. 

More information about the sanctions that are currently in place is available here.

Reconstruction

The German Government, together with Ukraine and our partners in the EU and the G7, is already beginning to plan how Ukraine can rebuild. In December 2022, the G7 and Ukraine agreed to establish an international Donor Coordination Platform for the country’s reconstruction. Although reconstruction will require significant international efforts, it also presents a great opportunity to invest in Ukraine’s future, and, in so doing, to modernise the state and the economy, to bring about ecological transformation and, not least, to implement national reforms and make progress towards EU accession.

On 11 and 12 June 2024, Germany and Ukraine co‑hosted an international gathering in Berlin, the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2024). After Lugano in 2022 and London in 2023, this was the first URC to be held in an EU member state since the start of the war of aggression. More than 3400 participants from 60 countries met at the conference, which was entitled “United in defence. United in Recovery. Stronger together” and showed their support for Ukraine not least by signing 110 agreements and contracts. A detailed list of conference outcomes and the Co‑Chairs’ Statement of the German and Ukrainian Governments can be found here.

The next conference (URC 2025) was held in Rome on 10 and 11 July 2025. The German Government delegation was led by Federal Chancellor Merz, who, together with European Commission President von der Leyen and other European partners, announced the establishment of the European Ukraine Recovery Fund. Poland will host this year’s URC, which will take place in Gdańsk on 25 and 26 June. The conference will build on the thematic dimensions first established in Berlin: the Business Dimension, the Human Dimension, the Local and Regional Dimension and the EU Dimension. Security and Defence will be added as a new dimension.

Huge willingness to help

Many people in Germany have great sympathy for the fate of the people in Ukraine. The tremendous willingness to help is also reflected in civil society. The large number of donated items has resulted in a significant amount of coordination work on the part of aid organisations. The German Government therefore supports the appeal to refrain from donating items, and, whenever possible, to donate money to established aid organisations instead. Donations can be made via Aktion Deutschland Hilft and the Disaster Relief Alliance (“Aktionsbündnis Katastrophenhilfe”). By adding the subject “Nothilfe Ukraine” (emergency aid for Ukraine) to bank transfers, the money will be spent on relief measures for people in Ukraine.

You can find more information here on the help required by refugees in Ukraine and on the admission of war refugees to Germany.

Key topics for European foreign and security policy are on the agenda of today’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, namely Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the military escalation in the Middle East which affects the stability of the entire region and beyond. The Council is taking place ahead of the meeting of EU Heads of State and Government in Brussels at the end of the week. 

Focus on Ukraine: continuing support, overcoming deadlock 

Solidarity with Ukraine may not be weakened by support for other crisis-hit regions. It is equally important to systematically limit Russia’s possible economic gains from increasing energy prices, as the country continues to pose the greatest security threat to Europe. Germany is doing everything in its power to overcome the current blocking of a 90‑billion‑euro EU loan to Ukraine and the twentieth sanctions package against Russia.

Following the massive destruction of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by Russian attacks, Germany is also calling for additional bilateral and multilateral support measures, particularly in the energy sector. As usual, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will join the discussions via video link at the start of the meeting. 

Situation in the Middle East

The Foreign Affairs Council will also focus on the war-related events in the Near and Middle East and their impact on Europe. 

We need greater clarity from Israel and the United States on the military objectives in Iran. Only then can we think about a security architecture for the entire region with the neighbouring countries. Huge numbers of people are already suffering as a result of this war. As both the largest economic area and largest humanitarian actor in the world, the European Union will give a voice to those affected by the war. To alleviate the suffering, Germany has put together an emergency aid package worth 188 million euro.

Informal lunch with the Indian Foreign Minister

A lunch with the Indian Foreign Minister will take place on the margins of the Foreign Affairs Council. In addition to the threats to the global economy arising from the escalation in the Middle East, the main topics for discussion will be the close trade relations and the security and defence cooperation between the EU and India. 

The focus will be on the free trade agreement between the EU and India. In view of the current geostrategic challenges, this agreement is a great economic policy success. It must now be ratified as quickly as possible. 

Germany also welcomes the establishment of a security and defence partnership with India. We want to encourage India to use its contacts with Russia to support de‑escalation and a ceasefire in Ukraine.

At the start of the week, Foreign Minister Wadephul first travelled to Cyprus to discuss the current security situation in the Middle East with his Cypriot counterpart Constantinos Kombos.

Cyprus is an important and close partner for Germany in the European Union and plays a key role in European security and foreign policy on account of its geostrategic location in the eastern Mediterranean. 

The latest events, in particular the Iranian drone attack on a UK military base in Cyprus, have made clear once more that the war in the Middle East is not a crisis that can be sealed off, but rather one that directly affects Europe. In this context, Foreign Minister Wadephul reiterated Germany’s full solidarity with Cyprus and paid tribute to the country’s level-headed and responsible stance in this tense situation.

Foreign Minister Wadephul also held talks in Cyprus with his counterpart from the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. They discussed both the tense security situation in the Gulf region and the joint efforts to prevent an energy and oil crisis, which would adversely affect the entire world. 

Visit to close allies in wartime: Foreign Minister Wadephul in Israel

From Cyprus, Foreign Minister Wadephul travelled on to Israel. Even before the latest combat operations with Iran, the country was in a state of war. Foreign Minister Wadephul is the first foreign minister to visit Jerusalem since 28 February. Before travelling there, he visited the site in Beit Shemesh hit by an Iranian missile, where nine people were killed when a shelter was struck just over a week ago.

The German Government agrees with Israel and the United States that Iran’s military nuclear programme and ballistic missile programme must be verifiably ended. Moreover, Iran must cease destabilising the region, inter alia through its support for groups in the Middle East that conduct terror attacks against Israel, such as the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

With a view to the attacks on Israeli territory, Foreign Minister Wadephul assured Israel of the German Government’s solidarity. At the same time, he stressed that the conflict in the region must not be allowed to escalate further. At a press conference in Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Wadephul said:

We also spoke today about the next steps for the region [...], including political approaches and how to prevent further escalation that would cause suffering in even more countries and among their populations. This question primarily concerns the people in the Gulf region, who are now the target of indiscriminate attacks by Iran. These people are not involved and do not want this conflict.

The ongoing poor humanitarian supply situation of the people in the Gaza Strip and the tense situation in the West Bank, particularly as a result of illegal Israeli settlement construction and extremist settlers, were also discussed in Jerusalem.

Solidarity with the Gulf states: uninvolved third parties targeted by attacks

After his talks in Israel, Foreign Minister Wadephul travelled on to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, where he was received by Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. The countries at the Persian Gulf are particularly affected by the impact of the war, as the Iranian regime is repeatedly firing missiles indiscriminately at Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other countries in the region. These attacks have hit civilian targets and killed people.

Foreign Minister Wadephul used his visit to Riyadh to discuss how a political solution to the current conflict can be found. The aim is a regional peace order that guarantees the security of all countries and people in the region and also protects crucial trade routes – in particular maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea passage for the global oil trade.

On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Wadephul also travelled to the Gulf states of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, which are being particularly intensely targeted by Iranian attacks. Iran has launched the largest number of drones and missiles at these countries – at the centres of densely populated cities, where the harm to civilians is particularly dramatic. Tens of thousands of German nationals were stranded in the region. In the meantime, many of them have been able to depart on commercial flights or on special flights organised by the German Government. For over a week now, the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin and the German missions in the region have been working day and night to this end.

Visit to NATO partner Turkey

Foreign Minister Wadephul concluded his visit programme with talks in Ankara on Thursday with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan. Iran has also launched ballistic missiles at Turkey, although the country is not a party to the conflict. We strongly condemn the targeting of our NATO Ally. Foreign Minister Wadephul assured his Turkish counterpart of Germany’s full solidarity.

The Foreign Ministers also discussed possible refugee flows in the region in the context of the crisis. After the start of the war in Syria, Turkey took in around four million refugees. So far, there have been no signs of comparable refugee flows from Iran. Nonetheless, it is important to be prepared for all possible scenarios. In addition to the field of migration, the German Government has a great interest in strengthening strategic relations with Turkey, for instance in security, defence and trade. We want to work with Turkey to find solutions that will bring about a stable and peaceful Near and Middle East.

In a brief announcement on 7 March 1951, the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government stated: “The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Government of India have agreed that they will shortly exchange diplomatic missions with the status of legations.” 

Since then, relations between Germany and what is now the most populous country in the world have developed into a strategic partnership. Today, relations between Germany, the country with the highest population in the EU, and India, the world’s largest democracy in terms of population, are defined by mutual respect, shared values and support in a spirit of partnership. 

In 2024, the German Government adopted the strategy paper “Focus on India”, setting itself an ambitious agenda of further expanding Indo-German cooperation. Priorities include cooperation in the areas of foreign and security policy, development cooperation, climate and environmental protection, the expansion of economic and trade relations, intensification of collaboration in research and academia, and the recruitment of skilled labour. 

Germany is India’s most important trading partner in the European Union. Over 2000 German companies are active in India – some have been so for decades – particularly in the automotive manufacturing, mechanical engineering, chemicals and renewable energies sectors. Conversely, Indian companies are increasingly investing in Germany, primarily in the IT, pharmaceuticals and engineering sectors.

Scientific collaboration is a further cornerstone of our bilateral relations. Research institutes, universities and innovation centres work closely together, for example in the fields of climate research, artificial intelligence and health. With almost 60,000 students from India, Germany is one of the most popular study destinations in Europe for Indians. Almost a third of all student visas for Germany worldwide are issued in India. At the same time, German scientific organisations are active in India via their own offices there. 

Our two countries are committed to a rules-based international order and to multilateral cooperation. Germany supports a greater inclusion of India in international institutions. Germany and India are close partners in the endeavours to reform the United Nations and in the fight against international terrorism. We also want to further expand our cooperation in the security field, with joint exercises by our armed forces and by speeding up export licences, as security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific has an impact on Europe. 

2026 – a year with a focus on the partnership between Germany and India 

• Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to India from 12 to 13 January 2026 underlined the vibrant partnership and the mutual desire to deepen our relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Federal Chancellor in his home state of Gujarat – a sign of the close relations and of appreciation. The Federal Chancellor was accompanied by a trade delegation and visited German companies in India.
• The 16^th EU‑India Summit was held in New Delhi on 27 January 2026. EU and Indian leaders underlined their determination to take the strategic partnership between the EU and India to the next level. The Summit focused on deepening trade relations and on the EU‑India security and defence partnership. The Summit also saw the successful conclusion of the negotiations on a wide-ranging EU‑India free trade agreement, which will strengthen our economic and trade relations.
• The eighth Indo‑German intergovernmental consultations are scheduled to take place in Germany towards the end of the year. This will further the joint projects launched during the Federal Chancellor’s visit to India. Indo‑German intergovernmental consultations have been held regularly since 2011. During these consultations, the cabinets of both countries meet to agree key joint cooperation matters.

Germany and the other members of the CBSS Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Sweden, as well as Iceland, Norway and the EU have been some of Kyiv’s most reliable partners since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. 

Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul issued the following statement:

As much as the Gulf region is holding our attention, the greatest security policy challenge for Europe is still Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The Council of the Baltic Sea States today brings together the strongest and clearest supporters of Ukraine. I want to emphasise that Germany still sees its priority here. Together, we have understood that Ukraine and the Baltic Sea region remain the focus of our security activity in Europe.

Particularly strong supporters of Ukraine

Germany is working to support Ukraine in many different ways, together with its neighbours and partners. As well as military and humanitarian assistance, the priority is economic stabilisation and supporting the country along its path towards the European Union. 

This cooperation is an expression of the common understanding that Europe’s security is inextricably linked with a secure future for Ukraine. Poland plays a prominent role in this context as a logistical hub and a close political contact. Likewise, the Baltic States Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have made significant contributions in the fields of training, equipment and reconstruction projects. Denmark is supporting Ukraine particularly in the area of air defence and arms production, and is playing a leading role in coordinating European assistance initiatives.  

Common goal: peace and stability in Europe

Russia’s war of aggression remains Europe’s greatest security challenge. The Baltic States regard their close cooperation as a response to this threat and at the same time a way to strengthen European cohesion. Germany’s priority is to equip Ukraine to safeguard its independence and territorial integrity in the long term from a military, economic and institutional perspective.  

The meeting in Warsaw provides the CBSS foreign ministers with the opportunity to coordinate their measures further and spark new impetus for even more targeted support for Ukraine. At the same time, it reinforces the political will of the Baltic, Northern and Eastern European partners to assume joint responsibility for peace, stability and security in Europe.  

Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS)

The Council of the Baltic Sea States comprises eight Baltic Sea coastal states – Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Sweden – as well as Iceland, Norway and the EU. On 1 July 2025, Poland took over the CBSS Presidency, which rotates between member states on an annual basis, from Estonia. The Presidency’s top priority is promoting regional security. This includes protecting critical infrastructure and dealing with the Russian shadow fleet. Germany last held the one-year Presidency in 2022/2023. Iceland will assume the Presidency in the summer.

Russia’s membership was suspended in March 2022 in response to its war of aggression against Ukraine. The country subsequently withdrew from the Council in May 2022. The CBSS Secretariat is based in Stockholm.

Further information about the CBSS and its activities can be found at www.cbss.org.

Russia’s war of aggression, four years on: Europe stands firmly by Ukraine’s side

Tomorrow marks the fourth anniversary of Russia’s brutal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since 24 February 2022, daily life for people in Ukraine has been marked by destruction, unspeakable suffering and air strikes on an almost daily basis. From the outset, the European Union has presented a united front in standing with Ukraine.

Against the background of ongoing Russian attacks, EU Foreign Ministers will today send a clear message of support for Ukraine, and for staying the course: European assistance for Ukraine will continue for as long as it takes – whether this aid be political, economic, humanitarian or military. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will participate in the beginning of the meeting via a video link and will report on the current situation.

Providing enhanced support to Ukraine

In addition to sanctions targeting Russia, talks will also centre on support for Ukraine. Germany is advocating for swift implementation, with as little red tape as possible, of the agreed credit line in the amount of 90 billion euro for strengthening Ukraine’s defensive capabilities – the aim being to quickly get funds to where they are needed most.

Bilateral support from EU member states is crucial for Ukraine, as well, especially in the military sector and with a view to securing the country’s energy supply. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, Germany has provided more than 1.2 billion euro for stabilising the Ukrainian energy sector. For the current winter, Germany is making available an additional support package in the amount of nearly 400 million euro. In this way, we are very much helping to keep operational the country’s electricity and heating systems, even though they are subjected to targeted Russian attacks.

Joint agreement on the 20th sanctions package: further ramping up pressure on Russia

A key item on the Council’s agenda is the adoption of the 20th EU sanctions package. Our aim is to further limit Russia’s ability to fund its war of aggression, as Russia is still obtaining significant revenue via its energy sector, especially with oil exports.

Germany is strongly advocating for a comprehensive ban on maritime services for the transport of Russian oil with all EU member states. What is more, additional individual sanctions are being imposed to increase pressure on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, which is used by Moscow to circumvent existing sanctions and continue generating income. Furthermore, Germany is committed to implementing additional measures against entities in the energy and financial sectors, as well as against those who support Russia’s war economy.

The 20th sanctions package will for the first time use a new instrument to prevent the circumvention of sanctions. This clearly shows that the European Union is firmly opposing attempts by Moscow to circumvent sanctions and is taking action against states enabling their circumvention. Germany is also working with other partners to consistently counter structures that are used for this purpose.

The Middle East: the EU’s responsibility with respect to stability and humanitarian assistance

Also on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council is the situation in the Middle East. The focus is on the situation in Gaza and the role of the European Union in the context of the 20-point plan for security and stability in the Gaza Strip. At their meeting, Foreign Ministers will have an exchange with Nickolay Mladenov on the next steps. Mladenov is High Representative for Gaza on the Board of Peace that was recently established by the United States President.

As the EU, we support implementation of the 20-point plan and are seeking to work together with all suitable transitional structures – first and foremost with the National Committee on the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) that is composed of Palestinian representatives. Meanwhile, it remains clear that humanitarian principles and obligations under international law must be respected at all times. The chief aim is to improve the humanitarian situation and to find a way of opening up a political prospect for the people in Gaza.

Keeping an eye on the West Bank and Iran

Germany is extremely concerned about the recent legal changes in Israel that seriously jeopardise the prospects for a negotiated two-state solution and that have implications for Areas A and B in the West Bank, which are under autonomous Palestinian administrative control. At the Foreign Affairs Council, Germany is advocating for a unified European position on this issue. 

Another topic on the agenda is Iran, as the US and Iran are engaged in talks in Geneva with a view to finding a diplomatic solution. Prior to the Council meeting, political agreement was reached in January to add the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to the EU’s list of terrorist organisations – as a response to the IRGC’s bloody role in putting down the peaceful protests in Iran. At the same time, Germany is campaigning for keeping up pressure through other means, as well – for example, by adding additional listings to the EU global human rights sanctions regime and by taking action against entities that provide financial support to the IRGC. However, close coordination with other member states remains key in this regard.

Syria: enabling enhanced European engagement

Considering the fragile situation in Syria, Germany is using the Foreign Affairs Council to convince its EU partners that an increase in support is needed, especially for north-eastern Syria. Furthermore, Germany is advocating for European measures that will facilitate trade and investment and can thus promote economic stabilisation.
 

Munich as a global stage for diplomacy

With over 1000 participants from more than 115 countries, including some 60 Heads of State and Government and over 50 leaders of international organisations, the MSC 2026 is bigger and more international than ever. Only here can you bump into the NATO Secretary General, the Ukrainian President, the US Secretary of State and politicians from all over the world in the lift or in the sprawling corridors of the conference hotel.

In addition, over 100 international think tanks will be represented at a high level this year and will discuss the most important security policy issues at no less than 270 side events. Side events organised by the Federal Foreign Office will set the agenda on key issues also this year, including defence, threats from Russia, geo-economics, artificial intelligence, key technologies and research security.

With the participation of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and numerous other cabinet members, the Federal Government is underscoring Germany’s active role and clear willingness to assume responsibility in a phase of growing global uncertainty in which it is important to preserve our security, freedom and prosperity.

The Conference was first held in 1963, and for the first few decades was known as the Wehrkundetagung (conference on military science). Back then, it was a much smaller affair, attended by only a few dozen participants. Although even in the early days the meeting was designed as an international conference, its object and purpose was to give German participants an opportunity to meet their colleagues from the United States and from other NATO countries. As the years went by, the Conference grew and grew. While there are still plenty of figures in uniform filling the corridors of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, they mingle these days with CEOs, members of think tanks, journalists and other leading figures from all around the world. The range of issues addressed by the MSC has likewise evolved over the years and now increasingly focuses on other regions of the world, such as the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, in addition to policy areas such as the global economy and new technologies.

High-level exchange on current security and foreign policy issues

Hardly any other forum offers the chance to speak to so many fellow politicians, members of civil society and security policy practitioners in such quick succession, or to strike up informal conversations with them in the bustling corridors of the venue. This year, the focus will again be on the efforts to achieve peace in the context of Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Other issues to be discussed will include transatlantic relations, security in Europe and strengthening NATO, as well as the situation in the Middle East, the future of the international order and the expansion of global partnerships.

The Foreign Minister’s agenda also comprises the traditional meeting with a large delegation from the US Congress. This will provide an opportunity to follow up on the Foreign Minister’s recent trip to the US and his talks with congressional representatives in Washington, DC in January and to continue their dialogue. As usual, there will also be an informal meeting of the G7 Foreign Ministers. This will be the first such meeting hosted by France, which is holding the G7 Presidency in 2026.

Moreover, there will be a wide variety of bilateral and multilateral informal and planned exchange formats. At a panel discussion entitled “Navigating Uncertainty: India and Germany in a World in Disarray”, Foreign Minister Wadephul will exchange views with his Indian counterpart Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on how we can and should act with respect to foreign and security policy in a world characterised by global uncertainties.

To stay up to date and keep abreast of the Foreign Minister’s every move during the MSC, follow us on X (@AussenMinDE.diplo.de, @AuswaertigesAmt and @GermanyDiplo) and Instagram (@aussenminister and @auswaertigesamt).

This year’s thematic focus: “Under Destruction”

This year’s MSC will focus on the profound geopolitical upheavals that are taking place and is entitled “Under Destruction”. Published shortly before the conference, the Munich Security Report 2026 sets the framework for the MSC and analyses the far-reaching consequences of the rise of political forces that focus on destruction rather than reform.

You can read the full report here .

On 11 February 2026, Foreign Minister Wadephul will be receiving his counterparts from the Central Asian states. In addition, there will be an economic forum that will be attended by nearly 30 German business representatives. It is being organised together with the German Eastern Business Association. Prior to these meetings, the Federal President will receive the Central Asian Foreign Ministers at Schloss Bellevue. The Foreign Ministers meeting dovetails with the Team Europe approach of the European Union with regard to Central Asia.

Central Asia – a partner of choice for Germany

The meeting will focus on further strengthening political and economic relations between Germany, the European Union and Central Asia. In view of geopolitical developments with respect to energy and resource security, the region is becoming ever more strategically significant for Europe. The aim is to make reliable offers to Central Asian states and to deepen our partnership, also bearing in mind the region’s dependencies on Russia.

Since 2023, Germany has maintained a Strategic Regional Partnership with the countries of Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). It comprises four main areas of cooperation: (1) the business sector, energy and natural resources; (2) regional cooperation and resilience; (3) climate and the environment; (4) people-to-people contacts between citizens. Following the summits of 2023 in Berlin and of 2024 in Astana, the Z5+1 (Central Asia and Germany) meeting picks up where these productive discussions left off. The focus is on the business sector, energy, raw materials, connectivity, security and regional cooperation. The meeting will also help to prepare for the next summit.

Team Europe – the EU Special Representative for Central Asia is also participating

The fact that EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduards Stiprais is attending the meeting underscores Germany’s Team Europe approach. Germany expressly considers its engagement in the region as being part of an overall EU strategy (among other things, the EU’s strategy on Central Asia was endorsed during Germany’s EU Council Presidency in 2007 and was updated in 2019). The shared goal is to strengthen political, economic and infrastructure ties between Central Asia and Europe. The EU-Central Asia summit of 4 April 2025 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan) made progress in this respect. The EU is placing special emphasis on the issue of connectivity, so that transport and logistic routes between Central Asia and Europe can be expanded step by step. 

The economic forum – strengthening investment, trade and added value in and with Central Asia

German companies have for years been active in Central Asia and thus contribute investment, added value and jobs to the region. In Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan alone, there are nearly 80 joint projects with an overall investment volume of approximately four billion euro. Germany is Central Asia’s most important trading partner in the European Union.

For many months, the quantity of relief supplies crossing the border into Gaza was inadequate. Now, several months since the ceasefire began, the humanitarian situation there is still precarious. Since 2 February, the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt has reopened to a limited extent for the movement of people. This affords some hope to the sick and wounded in Gaza waiting for treatment abroad. It is now also possible again for a very limited number of people to enter Gaza.

The partial opening of the border crossing is an important step towards implementing the 20-point peace plan for Gaza.

On 9 October 2025, commenting on the implementation of the 20-point plan, Foreign Minister Wadephul said:

The first phase is decisive, because the hostages will at last be released and the suffering population in the Gaza Strip will at last have the hope of medical assistance, of foodstuffs, of water. The fact that this dreadful suffering can now end is of inestimable value. It shows that we do still live in a world in which understanding is possible, in which there is a point to diplomacy, and in which we need to step up our efforts in order to make progress.

Following the partial opening of Rafah, the German Government remains committed to working for the reopening of further border crossings to and from Gaza – above all for the transport of goods.

According to the United Nations, some 1.9 million people in Gaza – or 90% of the population – are internally displaced. 80% of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed or damaged, and thus provide hardly any protection against wintry conditions. So the priority now is to get more shelters into Gaza and to restore infrastructure such as the water supply. 

Assistance from Germany: Food and medical care

Since the very start of the war, Germany’s assistance has been focused on the most urgent needs of the people on the ground: medical and food aid – such as the distribution of food baskets and food supplements, the deployment of emergency medical teams and psychosocial support for families.

With German support, the UN International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are providing ready‑to‑eat nutrition supplements and infant formula to protect babies and young children from malnutrition.

The World Health Organization, as well as the German Red Cross, the Johanniter, Care International and Oxfam, can improve healthcare in Gaza – for example by running mobile clinics in emergency shelters and operating equipment for water treatment.

The UN Development Programme is assisting in the disposal of waste, to help prevent outbreaks of disease.

Immediately following the entry into force of the ceasefire in October 2025, the Federal Foreign Office made available a further 29 million euro for humanitarian assistance to combat the acute hunger and the health emergency in Gaza. This money goes to help the work of UN organisations, in particular the WFP, but also UNICEF and the WHO.

All in all, German assistance for the Palestinian territories has been increased by more than 375 million euro since 7 October 2023.

The UN relief agency UNRWA
The work done by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) plays a vital role in providing basic necessities for the Palestinian population. In late January 2024, serious allegations were made against members of the organisation’s staff. A commission set up by the UN and headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna presented an investigative report in April 2024. The report concludes that while UNRWA carries out important work in Gaza, its structures require improvement. Fifty specific recommendations on how to achieve this were set out. UNRWA has committed to implementing these recommendations. Consequently, the German Government has decided to resume its cooperation with the organisation in Gaza, the level of future support for UNRWA depending on the implementation of comprehensive reforms.
 

Foreign Minister Wadephul is visiting five partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region: Singapore, New Zealand, Tonga, Australia and Brunei.

The Indo-Pacific is one of the most dynamic regions in the world and is becoming ever more important for Germany and Europe. Foreign Minister Wadephul is travelling to the region once again in order to deepen existing partnerships and generate new momentum for cooperation – in areas from trade and technology to the international order and security.

In talks on foreign, security and economic policy, the focus will be on further strengthening Germany’s cooperation with the region and developing joint responses to global challenges.

Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul said:

We are living in times when old certainties that our prosperity and security rested on for decades are crumbling. In times when the law of the strong threatens to supplant the strength of the law. Now in particular, we must expand our global network of robust partnerships in line with our core interests. We want to consolidate existing partnerships and forge new ones.

For multilateralism and international rules

This trip is taking place in a context of far-reaching international change. Global power shifts, economic competition and growing tensions are increasingly putting the rules-based international order to the test. All five countries share Germany’s interest in bolstering multilateral structures and defending a stable international order.

Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul emphasised:

Together, we advocate for clear rules to govern international relations when these come under pressure – in Europe as in the Indo-Pacific. Because what happens in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea, for example, has global repercussions.

Southeast Asia as the start and end point of the trip

The first stop on the trip is Singapore, one of the most important global hubs for international trade and technological innovation. High-level talks are planned there. Foreign Minister Wadephul will also give a speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), one of the world’s leading think tanks for security and strategy research. His itinerary further includes a visit to the Schaeffler Hub for Advanced Research, a forward-looking innovation laboratory that embodies close cooperation between industry, research and international partnership.

Singapore exemplifies open markets and a rules-based trade system. The planned expansion of relations between Germany and ASEAN is set to further deepen cooperation with Southeast Asia.

Brunei, the last stop of the trip, also has a central role to play in this. As ASEAN’s current EU country coordinator, it supports closer ties between Europe and the region. High-level talks are planned in Brunei as well.

The Pacific region – close partners and new connections

With Australia and New Zealand, Foreign Minister Wadephul is visiting two close friends and partners in shared values with Germany. Both countries are major political and economic players in the Pacific region and have a key role in the regional security architecture. The Minister’s itinerary includes talks with members of government and business representatives.

He will also meet the Prime Minister of Niue. The two will officially seal the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and Niue with their signatures, marking an important step for Germany in establishing closer ties in the Pacific.

Tonga and moving towards the island states

Another focal point of the trip is on relations with the Pacific states. In Tonga, Foreign Minister Wadephul will mark 150 years of the friendship treaty and 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and Germany.

Germany wants to continue expanding its involvement in the Pacific region – including by aiming for a strategic partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum. With contributions to the regional organisation’s climate fund, Germany also supports measures to strengthen the region’s resilience to the effects of climate change.

Responsibility in turbulent times

Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul made it clear:

In uncertain times, it is incumbent upon us to continue building a reliable network of global partnerships and ensuring it is fit for the future. Because our freedom, prosperity and security will not be decided in Europe alone – but in worldwide cooperation.

His visit underscores how Germany is basing its approach in the Indo-Pacific on dialogue, reliability and cooperation – as a contribution to freedom, security and prosperity, in Germany and worldwide.