Ukraine Defence Deal: Chancellor Friedrich Merz signed 15 agreements with Kyiv worth over €8.5bn, including air defence, interceptor drones, radars and energy resilience, and announced an extra €1.3bn support package as Russia hit Kyiv with drones and missiles. Intelligence Warning: BND chief Martin Jäger told the Bundestag that Russia’s “shadow war” has shifted to a “new, more dangerous” phase, raising the risk Germany could be drawn into an armed conflict; he cited the Leipzig airport attack as an example. Hybrid Pressure at Home: Germany’s security services say they face sabotage, disinformation and attempted attacks, while Economy Minister Katherina Reiche described drone strikes during Merz’s visit as intimidation meant to disrupt agreements and undermine morale. Sanctions Scrutiny: Berlin prosecutors are investigating possible EU sanctions violations by tenants linked to the Russian House cultural centre in Berlin, where some businesses reportedly continue operating despite the site’s closure. EU Budget Fight: Seventeen EU states, led by Italy and Romania, push to protect cohesion and the CAP in the next EU long-term budget, arguing for new revenue sources rather than cuts. Euro Under Strain: Markets drove the euro to a 17-month low amid worries about France’s fiscal and political stability, with the French-German bond spread spiking sharply. Tech & Sovereignty: Aleph Alpha launched Kolibri, a German-language “sovereign AI” model aimed at mission-critical public administration and industry use.