Germany to help Ukraine increase missile production – DW – 05/28/2025
"For Merz, continued support for Ukraine is the linchpin of his foreign policy. He wants to make sure, the Russian threat to Europe is stopped, in Ukraine if possible," Henning Hoff of the German Council on Foreign Relations told DW.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now in Berlin once again. This is his first visit since Merz took over from his predecessor, Olaf Scholz.
At a joint press conference after the talks, Merz promised Ukraine help with the procurement of long-range missiles. The aim was joint production. This could take place both in Ukraine and in Germany. There will be "no range restrictions" for such weapons, and "Ukraine can use them to defend itself fully, even against military targets outside its own territory," Merz added.
Merz: 'We will step up our pressure on Russia'
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Germany will also continue to finance a significant part of the Starlink satellite communications system for Ukraine, said Merz. The system is operated by the aerospace company SpaceX, which was founded by US tech billionaire Elon Musk.
"In general, the new German government seems more willing to take greater risks and, together with its allies, put more pressure on Russia," said Henning Hoff.
Taurus missile debate
When it comes to German weapons, Merz has long set himself apart from his predecessor. As leader of the opposition, Merz repeatedly spoke out in favor of the delivery of Germany's long-range Taurus missiles. Former Chancellor Scholz, however, was strictly against it, fearing Germany would be pulled further towards war with Russia.
Since taking office, Merz has evaded questions on the Taurus, saying that "strategic ambiguity" was necessary.
"It is good if Putin is unclear about what we are supplying," Jens Spahn, parliamentary group leader of the conservative bloc in the Bundestag, told public broadcaster ZDF.
Ukraine is still hoping for Germany to deliver long-range weapons, Zelenskyy said in Wednesday's press conference in Berlin in response to a journalist's question. "Of course we need them, of course we will discuss this issue," the Ukrainian president said.
Merz visits German brigade stationed in Lithuania
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Empty threats are counterproductive
During their visit to Ukraine, the four European leaders had given Russia an ultimatum to Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. In the event of a refusal, they threatened new sanctions. However, Russia not only let the deadline pass, but also launched some of the most violent attacks on civilian targets since the beginning of the war. And yet there were no consequences, as the four leaders had planned to implement the sanctions with US backing, which didn't materialize.
In the following days, Merz seemed to have given up faith in a solution at the negotiating table. Wars usually come to an end through the economic or military exhaustion of one or both sides, he said on Tuesday during a visit to Finland. "We are obviously still a long way from that in this war. That's why I expect that we may have to prepare for a longer duration," Merz added.
Trump: 'Putin has gone crazy'
At the same time, there seems to be some movement in the deadlocked European-American discussions. Until recently, US President Donald Trump had made it clear that he wanted to negotiate peace in Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin without involving the Europeans.
But now Trump seems to be exasperated with the Russian leader. After massive new Russian airstrikes on Ukrainian residential areas, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: "He's gone absolutely crazy!" The president decried Putin's apparent desire for the whole of Ukraine. "Iit will lead to the downfall of Russia!" Trump declared.
This fuels hope in Berlin and Kyiv that Trump can still be won over to a joint approach. Can that succeed? "This is literally a multi-billion dollar question," said Henning Hoff. "The erratic US president is an admirer of Putin. The fact that he recently described him as 'completely crazy' could be a sign of disillusionment. Until now, the Kremlin has been counting on the US breaking away as a supporter of Ukraine under Trump and then the Europeans also losing heart."
This may have been a major miscalculation on Putin's part, Hoff explained.
Trump warns Putin of Russia 'downfall'
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However, both Zelenskyy and Merz continue to fear that the US under Trump could completely turn on Ukraine and the peace process at any moment. The question would then be whether the Europeans could carry the burden alone. "Even if it is difficult: They will have to," said Hoff.
Merz and Zelenskyy are likely to continue to try and keep Trump on board. Friedrich Merz will soon be making his inaugural visit to the White House. The Ukrainian and German leaders still seem to have hope that they can convince the US president to continue supporting Ukraine.
This article was originally written in German.
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Why are Malaysia and Indonesia building Russia ties? – DW – 07/03/2025
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From Germany, war influencers incite violence in Somalia – DW – 07/03/2025
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He tells viewers that he fought in more than 30 battles when he "used to be a clan militant." Several sources, including a contact close to the current Puntland administration, told DW and ARD that Ayub was among the hijackers who held ships and hostages for ransom during the peak years of piracy off the Horn of Africa. Two seamen on a ship that was under the control of pirates from March 2010 through December 2012 told us their captors included a man called Ayub, who was tall and slim and spoke with a deep, resonant voice. As DW and ARD were able to confirm, Ayub first entered Germany in 2017. He applied for asylum, but his application was rejected in 2020. However, he was allowed to stay as a "tolerated" refugee, a status that comes with fewer rights than recognized asylum. According to his Facebook page, Ayub lived in Hamburg. Several short TikTok clips posted in 2022 show him in the city and elsewhere in northern Germany with friends. 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Flog them." Confirmed by DW and ARD's research, Yacqwub resides near Düsseldorf. He openly expresses hostility toward Germany. In a TikTok video, he says he lives "among infidels in the country of infidels." Like Ayub, Yacqwub has traveled to Somalia since moving to Germany. In the summer of 2023, a few months into the Las Anod conflict, he shared a picture of himself wearing a uniform alongside armed fighters. Another image shows him holding an AK-47. And, in a video clip, he is meeting a group of combatants, likely in one of the region's desert areas. Currently, he is back in Germany. Returning to Somalia does not appear to be a viable option for Yacqwub — he would risk being arrested upon arrival. In January 2025, a Puntland military court sentenced him in absentia to 10 years in prison on charges of using his YouTube channel to spread disinformation. The circumstances that led to this verdict are unclear. 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He said there was a simple reason why they can post virtually anything they want without fear of the authorities: "They speak Somali — and hardly anyone understands it." He said anyone who did would still be unlikely to report the influencers. "Most people are afraid of them". Their fame has even made Ayub and Yacqwub sought-after interlocutors within the Somali diaspora, where they are seen by some as effective at attracting attention to causes and mobilizing support. During his time in Germany, Ayub appears to have maintained a good relationship with Mohamed Abdulahi, the chairman of the nonprofit Somali-European Cooperation e.V. (SEKO). In a video, Abdulahi expresses his deep appreciation for Ayub's contributions to the organization's success. "I salute you, Kaptan Ayub," Abdulahi says. "Thank you so very much." In another clip, published in 2022, Abdulahi is talking to both Ayub and Yacqwub, sitting right between them. 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Because of his close ties with the administration, Ayub would understand that he "can commit crimes with impunity," Osman said. There are typically no consequences for illegal acts for those who belong to powerful clans or have financial means, he said. "You can kill 10 people and walk on the streets the next day," he said. "That is how Somalia works." In Germany, however, the influencers' actions might have consequences. A police spokesperson confirmed an investigation into Yacqwub's posts. "The state security division of the Düsseldorf police is currently investigating a possible criminal offense in connection with the suspicion of incitement," he wrote. And "Kabtan Ayub" could also soon be a concern for the German authorities again. In a video posted on TikTok on Tuesday, he seems to have returned to Europe. He is seen driving on what appears to be a highway in France. The caption of the video: "We have been separated for some time, Europe. Is everything alright?" Ayub Abdirizak and Yacqwub Siyaad did not reply to questions sent by DW and ARD.
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