#defense-cooperation

#defense-cooperation

Germany and Italy are deepening defense and economic cooperation with the leaders of the two countries signing an agreement in Rome. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed on closer cooperation in the production of drones, naval vessels, underwater systems and air and missile defense systems. The leaders are also looking to collaborate in the development of electronic warfare and aerial combat defense systems.

Both Berlin and New Delhi face a turbulent world order and a set of economic and geopolitical challenges from the world's two largest economies, the United States and China. Merz's visit from Monday -- his first to an Asian country since he took office last May -- comes two weeks ahead of a planned EU-India summit and as India and the bloc are working on a free trade agreement.

Vladimir Putin says his country is ready to supply India with 'uninterrupted' fuel and that energy ties remain 'unaffected' despite political shifts.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk have led intergovernmental talks in Berlin. The two European leaders said they were aiming to sign a defense collaboration agreement between their two nations next year. Tusk also used the opportunity to push for German support for victims of Nazi crimes in Poland during World War II. The meeting comes amid an increasingly negative opinion of Germany in Poland, with only a third of Poles saying they feel sympathy for their neighbors.

Breaking it down: There have been three 10-year framework agreements for long-term security assistance to Israel, in 1998 ($21.3 billion), 2008 ($32 billion) and 2016 ($38 billion). In 2024, during the war in Gaza, Congress and the Biden administration approved a multibillion-dollar emergency military assistance package for Israel, on top of the 10-year MOU. Israeli officials hope the next package will include even more in annual assistance, but are concerned the negotiations will be more difficult after the Trump administration's broad cuts to foreign aid.

The leaders said they wanted to deepen Franco-German cooperation "at all levels." Merz emphasized the importance of the close friendship between France and Germany, stating a commitment to enhancing cooperation in the years ahead.

The most important part right now is that Europe would be able to buy military equipment here in the U.S. so we can donate these military systems directly to Ukraine.

"I've met now with most of the principals who are in the room and doing the negotiating... I'm extremely optimistic that a deal will get done."