AfD’s projected win in Saxony-Anhalt drew alarm from Poland and France, praise from Czechia, and new political-risk questions for Europe.
AfD won 43.8% in Saxony-Anhalt, but coalition barriers and BSW leverage leave the German state facing a difficult government formation process.
Kaja Kallas shelved an EU defense expert group after Germany and Italy objected, exposing governance tensions over Europe’s defense strategy.
Putin endorsed using volunteers deemed completely unfit for military service to defend rear-area facilities from drones amid recruitment pressure.
Germany plans a broad anti-sabotage shield that would enlist critical infrastructure companies in drone and cyber defense.
Witkoff and Kushner are taking Trump’s Ukraine peace initiative from Moscow to Kyiv after talks the White House said covered concrete next steps.
NABU and SAP searched Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office in a probe into alleged protection of fraudulent call centers and asset laundering.
Latvia says a suspect in the Leipzig airport sabotage case had lived in Russia, as the investigation deepens scrutiny of aviation, logistics and security.
Volkswagen approved a historic restructuring plan with about 50,000 job cuts, factory uncertainty and a major push to simplify models and improve returns.
Putin said peace is possible through direct Russia-Ukraine talks, while Zelensky said Trump envoys will visit Kyiv and Moscow to discuss a possible deal.
Norway has detained a Russian research vessel in Svalbard as Naftogaz intensifies its campaign to enforce a Hague arbitration award against Russia.
Russia says it will close Goethe-Institut branches after Germany moved to end the agreement covering the Russian House in Berlin.