OLAF SCHOLZ

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been honored for her efforts to allow more than 1.2 million migrants between 2015-2016.

Turkey’s foreign minister says his country is working to get international aid to earthquake-hit areas inside Syria, but that damage was making efforts more difficult.

Poland and the Baltic states have been vindicated for their anti-Putin hawkishness. That has yet to translate into power.

LONDON — (AP) — Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss will join the former leaders of Australia and Belgium at a conference in Tokyo later this month to call for a tougher international approach to China. Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, who is also a European Parliament lawmaker, will attend as well. Truss is expected to address growing concerns over Beijing's threats to Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. Truss has kept out of the public eye since she quit as Conservative British prime minister in October after just 45 days in office, following an ill-conceived economic plan she unveiled that triggered a political and financial crisis. Her successor, current British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has rejected "grand rhetoric" against China and wants a more "pragmatic" relationship with Beijing.

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss will join the former leaders of Australia and Belgium at a conference in Tokyo later this month to call for a tougher international approach to China.

Having defended democracy at home, Brazil inspired hope that it might sympathize with the struggle for freedom elsewhere too. Apparently not.

Having defended democracy at home, Brazil inspired hope that it might sympathize with the struggle for freedom elsewhere too. Apparently not.

KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Fighting remained largely deadlocked Monday in eastern Ukraine where Russian shelling killed five civilians over the past day, according to Ukrainian officials, as the warring sides sized up their needs for renewed military pushes expected in coming weeks. The casualties included a woman who was killed and three others who were wounded by the Russian shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city in the country’s northeast, regional Gov. The alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, on Monday called for South Korea to send direct military support to Ukraine, too. With more talk of military aid from Ukraine’s allies, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted Western weapons won’t stop Russia. Ukrainian authorities said the southern city of Kherson also has come under Russian shelling.

KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Fighting remained largely deadlocked Monday in eastern Ukraine where Russian shelling killed five civilians over the past day, according to Ukrainian officials, as the warring sides sized up their needs for renewed military pushes expected in coming weeks. The casualties included a woman who was killed and three others who were wounded by the Russian shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city in the country’s northeast, regional Gov. The alliance's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday called for South Korea to send direct military support to Ukraine, too. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov insisted Western weapons won’t stop Russia. Ukrainian authorities said the southern city of Kherson also has come under Russian shelling.

KYIV, Ukraine — (AP) — Russian shelling killed at least five people and wounded 13 others during the previous 24 hours, Ukrainian authorities said Monday, as the Kremlin’s and Kyiv’s forces remained locked in combat in eastern Ukraine ahead of renewed military pushes that are expected when the weather improves. The casualties included a woman who was killed and three others who were wounded by the Russian shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city in the country’s northeast, according to regional Gov. Moscow's troops seized large areas of the northeastern Kharkiv region in the months following its invasion of its neighbor last February. Ukrainian authorities said the southern city of Kherson also has come under Russian shelling. ___Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraineCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.

The Ukrainian presidential office says Russian shelling has killed at least five people and wounded 13 others over the past 24 hours.

Amid growing discord, a new proposal swayed a reluctant ally, as Germany relented on Leopards and U.S. pledged (eventually) to provide Abrams tanks to Kyiv.

It’s good that Chancellor Olaf Scholz is finally giving Ukraine tanks. Now let’s admit what it took to get there.

Smaller countries forced NATO’s greatest powers to give Ukraine the vehicles it needs.

The agreement between the US and Germany is a critical step toward helping Ukraine regain lost ground.

The wariness over military involvement that made Germany hesitate to send tanks to Ukraine is rooted in the country's memories of World War I and II.

Germany has apologized for using a leopard emoji in a jibe at Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Twitter that ended up offending some Africans.

Only a week ago, Defense Department official Colin Kahl ruled out supplying the tanks to Ukraine, citing exactly these reasons. The pledge emphasized the importance of supplying modern Western battle tanks to Ukraine, adding to the pressure on Berlin to follow. Schröder continued to tout his friendship with Putin even as the bloody Ukraine war dragged on. And his election in December 2021 was not a given.”By requiring America act first on sending tanks to Ukraine, Scholz indemnified himself to criticism at home, while beefing up Ukraine’s offensive capability abroad. Russian military analysts were now "going through five stages of grief," Zhivov said.

U.S. officials balked for months at sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, insisting they were too complicated and too hard to maintain and repair.

The U.S. decision follows Germany agreeing to send 14 Leopard 2 A6 tanks from its own stocks. “German main battle tanks, further broadening of defense support and training missions, green light for partners to supply similar weapons. “German-made tanks will face off against Russian tanks in Ukraine once more,” he said, adding that this was “not an easy thought” for Germany, which takes its responsibility for the horrors of World War II seriously. Scholz sought to reassure people in his country who were concerned about the implications of sending tanks to Ukraine. "Together, we are accelerating our efforts to ensure Ukraine wins this war and secures a lasting peace,” Sunak said on Twitter.

Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, President Biden said the U.S. will send 31 Abrams tanks to support Ukraine in its battle against Russia’s invasion. In his remarks, Biden also praised German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for agreeing to contribute tanks to support Ukraine, saying, “Germany has really stepped up.”

GettyIt didn’t take long for Russian officials to start foaming at the mouth and ranting about global conspiracies after Germany agreed to deliver its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine on Wednesday.After weeks of resistance, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that, along with allies, the country would provide 88 of the battle tanks to Ukraine, effectively giving Kyiv more firepower to launch new offensives. The Biden administration was also expected to announce a deal to send 30 M1 Abrams t

The U.S. and Germany had resisted sending tanks for months. This marks the latest upgrade in heavy weapons for Ukraine and comes amid growing expectations the fighting will soon escalte.

Both the United States and Germany are planning to send tanks to Ukraine to aid in its fight against Russia, according to The Associated Press. >> Read more trending newsGermany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday that Germany had decided to not only send 14 of its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine but to allow other nations that have the Leopard tanks to send their own. Poland, which is planning to send 14 Leopard tanks, had threatened to do so with or without Berlin’s permission. The decision to send the Abrams tanks comes just days after the Biden administration argued against sending the tanks. Germany has said for weeks that it would not send the Leopard tanks if the US does not send Abrams to Ukraine.

Germany has approved to send Ukraine up to two battalions of Leopard 2 tanks following weeks of stalled and frustrated negotiations as the war rages on.

The economic outlook has brightened in Europe's largest economy.

In a statement, the German government said it would initially provide Ukraine with one company of Leopard 2 A6 tanks, which comprises 14 vehicles, from its own stocks. The goal is for Germany and its allies to provide Ukraine with a total of two battalions, or 88 tanks. Scholz had insisted that any decision to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be taken in conjunction with Germany's allies, chiefly the United States. “German-made tanks will face off against Russian tanks in Ukraine once more,” he said, adding that this was “not an easy thought” for Germany, which takes its responsibility for the horrors of World War II seriously. The pressure on Scholz mounted this week after Poland formally asked Germany to approve sending Leopard 2 tanks from Polish stocks to Ukraine.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Wednesday his country will export more than a dozen of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. The move follows weeks of pressure from western allies.

Germany announced it is ready to send 14 its own tanks to Ukraine and to allow others to do so, in an U-turn from its previous position.

BERLIN — (AP) — The German government has confirmed it will provide Ukraine with Leopard 2 battle tanks and approve requests by other countries to do the same. In a statement, the government said it will initially provide Ukraine with one company of Leopard 2 A6 tanks, which comprises 14 vehicles, from its own stocks. The goal is to provide Ukraine with a total of two battalions together with other countries. Scholz had insisted that any move to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be closely coordinated with Germany's allies, chiefly the United States. The pressure on Scholz mounted this week after Poland formally asked Germany to approve sending Leopard 2 tanks from Polish stocks to Ukraine.

The decision expected from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz would end months of debate among Western allies and could help to shift the balance on the battlefield.

BERLIN — (AP) — After weeks of hesitation that saw growing impatience among Germany's allies, Chancellor Olaf Scholz was expected to announce Wednesday that his government will approve supplying German-made battle tanks to Ukraine. Scholz had insisted that any move to provide Ukraine with powerful Leopard 2 tanks would need to be closely coordinated with Germany's allies, chiefly the United States. By getting Washington to commit some of its own tanks Berlin hopes to spread the risk of any backlash from Russia. The pressure on Scholz mounted this week after Poland formally asked Germany to approve sending Leopard 2 tanks from Polish stocks to Ukraine. Germany news weekly Der Spiegel reported that Berlin could initially approve the supply of one tank company, comprising 14 vehicles.

Germany and the United States have announced that they will send advanced battle tanks to Ukraine.

The American-made Abrams tanks, probably numbering at least 30, are not likely to arrive in time for an expected spring offensive, however.

The German Army has 320 Leopard-2 main battle tanks at its disposal, although they are at different stages of deployment readiness, German Defense Ministry official told CNN on Jan. 24.

In what would be a reversal, the Biden administration is poised to approve sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Tuesday, as international reluctance to send tanks to the battlefront against the Russians begins to erode. The decision could be announced as soon as Wednesday, though it could take months or years for the tanks to be delivered. U.S. officials said details are still being worked out.

Sometimes not making a decision becomes the decision. By dithering about sending tanks to Ukraine, the German Chancellor is making the worst kind.

Sometimes not making a decision becomes the decision. By dithering about sending tanks to Ukraine, the German Chancellor is making the worst kind.

At a moment when Ukraine and its allies are preaching the need for speed in order to chase Russia out of its territory, the Germans are being viewed as a European ditherer.

A revolution in Germans’ military outlook will only go so far, so fast. Given history, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Andrés Gluski made his comments during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Germany’s top diplomat says her country won't object if Poland decides to send Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine.

PARIS — (AP) — France and Germany are seeking to overcome differences laid bare by Russia's war in Ukraine and shore up their alliance with a day of ceremonies and talks Sunday on Europe's security, energy and other challenges. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will oversee two rounds of talks at the Elysee Palace, focusing first on energy and economic policy, and then on defense. France wants Europe to counter what it considers an unfair move by Washington. On defense, the neighbors are expected to discuss military aid to Ukraine, according to French and German officials who weren't authorized to be publicly named according to their governments' policies. Both countries have contributed significant weaponry, but Ukraine is asking for tanks and more powerful arms as Russia’s war drags on.

France and Germany have commemorated the 60th anniversary of their post-World War II friendship treaty by committing to “unwavering support” for Ukraine and to strengthening the European Union.

A revolution in Germans’ military outlook will only go so far, so fast. Given history, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Berlin’s perceived foot-dragging, most recently on the Leopard 2 battle tanks that Kyiv has long sought, is rooted at least partly in a post-World War II political culture of military caution, along with present-day worries about a possible escalation in the war. It's a pattern that has been repeated over the months as Scholz first held off pledging new, heavier equipment, then eventually agreed to do so. As pressure mounted last week, he declared that he wouldn't be rushed into important security decisions by "excited comments." Berlin kept up its caution on the Leopard tank even after Britain announced last week that it would provide Ukraine its own Challenger 2 tanks. On Friday, Scholz's spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, denied reports that Germany had insisted it would only deliver Leopard tanks if the U.S. sends its own Abrams tanks.

Germany has become one of Ukraine’s leading weapons suppliers in the 11 months since Russia’s invasion, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz also has gained a reputation for hesitating to take each new step — generating impatience among allies

Germany has become one of Ukraine's leading weapons suppliers in the 11 months since Russia's invasion, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz also has gained a reputation for hesitating to take each new step — generating impatience among allies. Berlin’s perceived foot-dragging, most recently on the Leopard 2 battle tanks that Kyiv has long sought, is rooted at least partly in a post-World War II political culture of military caution, along with present-day worries about a possible escalation in the war. On Friday, Germany inched closer to a decision to deliver the tanks, ordering a review of its Leopard stocks in preparation for a possible green light.

On Jan. 4th, Paris announced it would be sending “light tanks” in the form of AMX-10RC heavy reconnaissance vehicles to Kyiv. Although Ukraine still has a large number of ex-Soviet tanks in its arsenal, the strains of war have taken a heavy toll over the past year. The promise of the British tanks was welcomed by Kyiv, even if the motive behind it was tacitly conditioned on a third party’s willingness to follow through. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told journalists at the conference, "we will make our decisions as soon as possible." This evening , German protesters took to the streets of Berlin, many draped in Ukrainian flags, demanding the government send the tanks.

The meeting perennially draws criticism as a hub of power-mongers and money-grubbers seeking to rule the world, and this year was no exception. Some deep-pocketed execs shell out upward of $1 million a year to be members of the WEF club. It's anybody's guess whether an event that churns up pledges, promises and partnerships to help realize the forum's ambition of improving the world will bring any concrete progress. The activists slammed the heavy-hitters at Davos for prioritizing short-term profits from fossil fuels over people affected by the climate crisis. It added a bookend: Dozens of climate activists — some with clown makeup — braved snowfall to demonstrate Sunday.

Power brokers have wrapped up the World Economic Forum’s annual conclave in the Swiss town of Davos as worries about the war in Ukraine, a warming planet and a cooling global economy dominated discussions about the world’s ills.

Western envoys have visited Kosovo and Serbia as part of their ongoing efforts to defuse tensions and help secure a reconciliation agreement between the two.

Poland and Finland say they want to send German-made Leopards to Ukraine. But the German government has not signed off.

Boris Pistorius was sworn in Thursday morning before meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and overseeing a potential shift in Germany's stance on weapons for Ukraine.

Trade ministers from a handful of nations have announced an initiative to promote trade policies that support action on climate change at a press conference in Davos, Switzerland.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has told political leaders at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, that supplies of Western weapons must come quicker than Russia’s attacks.

The new defense minister in Germany will be Boris Pistorius, according to Olaf Shultz. The defense minister-designate has served as the interior minister of Lower Saxony since 2013.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz seems to have finally figured out the Ukrainians need battle tanks to defeat the Russians. Eventually, they’ll need fighter jets too.

BERLIN — (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will appoint a regional official as the new defense minister following the resignation of the much-criticized Christine Lambrecht, the dpa news agency reported Tuesday. The defense minister-designate, Boris Pistorius, is a member of Scholz’ Social Democrats, and has been serving as interior minister of Lower Saxony since 2013. Pistorius completed his military service from 1980 to 1981, then studied law in the western German towns of Osnabrueck and Muenster. Lambrecht had been defense minister since Scholz became chancellor in December 2021. Earlier this month, Germany agreed to provide 40 Marder armored personnel carriers and a Patriot air defense missile battery to Kyiv.

he interior minister of the state of Lower Saxony, Boris Pistorius, will become Germany's next defense minister, the government said Tuesday.

DAVOS, Switzerland — (AP) — The Latest on the World Economic Forum gathering in Davos, Switzerland:Polish President Andrzej Duda is predicting that the German government will agree one day to send powerful Leopard tanks to Ukraine, citing Germany’s membership in NATO and rising public support for Ukrainians beleaguered by Russia’s war. The Polish leader quipped during a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday: “We don’t mention that Ukraine will win this war, we mention that Ukraine will not lose this war,” before chuckling. Scholz, who is speaking at Davos on Wednesday, has said Germany will “weigh every step carefully” and consult with its allies on further weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Duda also said German public opinion was becoming “stronger and stronger and stronger” in favor of Ukraine, and he hoped that would result in the “very needed decision” to send Leopards to Ukraine. ___KEY DEVELOPMENTS:— Ukraine's first lady to speak on the first big day in Davos— Online conspiracy theories target World Economic Forum— Business trusted most in a more polarized world, report says— Anti-poverty group urges windfall tax on food company profitsFollow AP's coverage of the World Economic Forum meeting at https://apnews.com/hub/world-economic-forumCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.

This year’s World Economic Forum theme, a plaintive appeal to find “cooperation in a fragmented world,” seems possessed by ruptures that have taken place around the world.

BERLIN — (AP) — Germany’s much-criticized defense minister announced her resignation Monday following a series of missteps while her department steers the massive project of modernizing the country’s military and oversees expanding weapons deliveries to Ukraine. The 57-year-old Lambrecht had been defense minister since Scholz became chancellor in December 2021. But Scholz stood by her, describing her last month as “a first-class defense minister.” Pressure on her mounted recently after an ill-judged New Year's video message. Lambrecht was then-Finance Minister Scholz’s deputy before being appointed justice minister in 2019. Last month, Lambrecht dismissed suggestions that the government had been too slow to get going on its spending drive.

Germany's defense minister announced her resignation on Monday following a series of public blunders and criticism of her handling of support for Ukraine.

Poland’s prime minister says he wants the German government to supply a wide range of weapons to Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has resigned following persistent criticism of her handling of military modernization programs and the country’s arms deliveries to Ukraine.

The White House has announced a new $3.75 billion military assistance package to help Ukraine and its neighbors on NATO's eastern flank as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds on.

A Swiss court has granted a six-month “stay of bankruptcy” to the operating company for the never-opened Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has inaugurated Germany’s first liquefied natural gas terminal, declaring that the speed with which it was put into service is a signal that Europe’s biggest economy will remain strong.

The Group of Seven leading economies have created an open and international climate club in which countries are to cooperate in the fight against global warming.

Russia has rejected Western demands that it pulls out completely from Ukraine as part of any future talks to end the war, saying they effectively rule out any talks on settling the conflict.

Germany’s parliament has approved a resolution recognizing as genocide Ukraine’s 1930s “Holodomor” — a famine believed to have killed more than 3 million Ukrainians under the repressive rule of Soviet leader Josef Stalin.

Qatar is to supply liquefied natural gas to Germany under a 15-year deal as the European economic powerhouse scrambles to replace Russian gas supplies that were cut during the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Fleeing shelling, civilians have streamed out of the southern Ukrainian city whose recapture they had celebrated just weeks earlier.

Normally when the World Cup comes around, Germans proudly fly their country’s flag and enthusiastically back their team.

A Swedish prosecutor says investigators have found traces of explosives at the Baltic Sea site where two gas natural pipelines were damaged in what he called an act of “gross sabotage.”.

The family of imprisoned Egyptian activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says that they have seen him and that his condition has “deteriorated severely.”.

China and India, after months of refusing to condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine, did not stand in the way of the release of a statement by the world’s leading economies that harshly criticized Moscow.

A United Nations official says the U.N. is “cautiously optimistic” a wartime deal that has enabled Ukraine to export grain and Russia to ship its grain and fertilizer to world markets will be renewed.

The family of Egypt’s imprisoned hunger-striking activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah says he has started drinking water again.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is leaving his country’s COVID-19 bubble and venturing abroad next week into a dramatically changed world marked by rising confrontation.

German lawmakers have approved a plan to keep the country’s three remaining nuclear power plants until mid-April.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry indicated no shift in position with regard to a jailed activist who is on a hunger and water strike.

The German government has blocked the sale of a chip factory to a Swedish subsidiary of a Chinese company.

The second day of leaders' speeches at the UN's climate conference included bold proposals, recommendations to crack down and standardize “net zero” claims and continued discussion about the situation of a jailed pro-democracy activist who is on a hunger and water strike.

The family of one of Egypt’s top jailed pro-democracy activists warn that the clock is ticking on his life as they plead with world leaders at the U.N. climate conference to press Egypt for his release.

Chinese health officials are giving no indication of any relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions following several days of speculation that the government was considering changes to a “zero-COVID” approach that has stymied economic growth and disrupted daily life.

German officials are urging environmental activists to engage in “constructive” protests and avoid endangering lives.

Top diplomats from the world’s major industrialized democracies have rallied support for Ukraine in its resistance to Russia’s invasion.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for peace talks over Ukraine and warned against the conflict going nuclear in a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who urged China to exert its influence on Russia.

Top diplomats from the world’s major industrialized democracies are seeking to expand unified positions on Russia's war in Ukraine, China's growing global economic clout and Iran's crackdown on anti-government protestors.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has told leaders of six Balkan countries that aspire to join the European Union that “it is high time to overcome regional conflicts” and stand together as Russia wages war in Ukraine.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is making his first visit to China as German leader this week, a diplomatically delicate trip while Germany and the European Union work on their strategy toward an increasingly assertive and authoritarian Beijing.

Top diplomats from the world’s major industrialized democracies will grapple with the implications of Russia’s war in Ukraine, China’s growing economic clout and aims on Taiwan and Iran’s treatment of anti-government protesters when they open two days of talks in Germany this week.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is urging climate activists to show “creativity” and avoid endangering others after attacking art works and setting up blockades that allegedly delayed the arrival of a specialist rescue crew at an accident scene.

World leaders have expressed sadness and condolences after at least 151 people were killed in a crowd surge Saturday night in Seoul, South Korea.

French President Emmanuel Macron is vowing to implement a pension reform that would eventually raise the retirement age by three years to 65 and make younger generations work longer.

Germany’s health minister has unveiled plans to decriminalize the possession of up to 30 grams (about 1 ounce) of cannabis and allow the sale of the substance to adults for recreational purposes in a controlled market.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz thrashed it out for three hours in Paris in hopes of bridging gaps between the two neighbors and key EU allies on energy, defense and the economy.

European Union nations have given themselves yet another month to overcome deep differences on groundbreaking measures to shield their citizens from the energy crisis.