Germany's Merz remains defiant after historic state elections defeat

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz​ acknowledged that the result was a "disaster" but said he would still move ahead with his government's reform agenda.

• Sep 20

German leader under huge pressure as the far-right AfD gains steam

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is facing a "crisis of authority and leadership" as immigration concerns fuel a far-right rise.

• Sep 18

Breaking down the far-right win in Germany

Far-right party AfD shocked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz with a landslide regional election victory. CBS News' Trevor Phillips has more.

• Sep 7

Far-right AfD wins big in German regional election, falls short of majority

Alternative for Germany failed to secure an absolute majority in the state legislature to govern alone and overcome the so-called firewall of mainstream parties' refusal to work with AfD.

• Sep 6

Trump to cut some American forces in Germany

The Pentagon says it will remove about 5,000 U.S. forces from Germany within the next year. The announcement was made in the middle of a clash between President Trump and the German chancellor over the war with Iran. Charlie D'Agata reports.

• May 4

Trump, Germany's Merz meet in Oval Office

While taking questions during an Oval Office meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn't force his hand in striking Iran. "If anything, I might have forced Israel's hand," Mr. Trump told reporters.

• Mar 3

Zelenskyy seeks security guarantees in London

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Monday to seek security guarantees as he pushes for an end to his country's war with Russia. CBS News foreign correspondent Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

• Dec 8, 2025

Latest from Zelenskyy's Europe meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the leaders from France, Germany and the United Kingdom in London on Monday as part of his push to end his country's war with Russia. CBS News foreign correspondent Ramy Inoncenio has the latest details.

• Dec 8, 2025

European leaders to join Zelenskyy for White House meeting with Trump

European leaders will join Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his crucial meeting with President Trump in Washington on Monday.

• Aug 17, 2025

In talks with Trump and NATO countries, Zelenskyy says Putin is "bluffing"

Presidents Trump, Zelenskyy and numerous NATO leaders held a virtual meeting Wednesday ahead of Friday's scheduled summit between Mr. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

• Aug 13, 2025

Trump says he'll know if Putin wants peace with Ukraine soon into meeting

President Trump says he expects to know quickly if a deal can be made with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine.

• Aug 11, 2025

New German leader Friedrich Merz meeting Trump next week at the White House

Merz's office said the new German leader, who took the helm of Europe's biggest economy on May 6, will meet Trump on Thursday — the first in-person meeting between the two.

• May 31, 2025

Ukraine gains support as U.N. panel accuses Russia of war crimes

Germany and Ukraine strike a deal to jointly develop weapons with "no range restrictions," as the Kremlin says Trump's jabs at Putin are due to him "not being informed."

• May 28, 2025

Germany's Merz elected chancellor

Germany's Friedrich Merz won enough votes on Tuesday to become the country's new chancellor after a second round of parliamentary voting after falling short. Watch live coverage of the moment from BBC News.

• May 6, 2025