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Sunday, 5 July 2026
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Sunday, 5 July 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Friedrich Merz

Also known as: Chancellor Friedrich Merz · German Chancellor Friedrich Merz · Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz

German Chancellor who proposed associate-member EU status for Ukraine rather than full membership.

2026-04-252026-07-05

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. The Standard

    Tehran has vowed not to surrender control over the Strait of Hormuz -- the narrow waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil flowed before the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.German Chancellor Friedrich Merz implored Tehran to "return to the negotia

    World leaders pressure Iran as ceasefire on brink
  3. Citizen Digital

    Trump has renewed criticism of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Monday that Iran was "humiliating" Washington at the negotiating table.

    US to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany
  4. The Standard

    The Pentagon later said the US would withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this week that Iran was "humiliating" Washington at the negotiating table.

    Trump says 'not satisfied' with new Iran proposal
  5. The Standard

    The announcement came after President Donald Trump threatened this week to remove troops from NATO ally Germany amid a row with its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, over the US-Israeli war against Iran.

    The latest developments of the war in the Middle East:
  6. April 2026
  7. Citizen Digital

    ght to extract a price for being attacked by exerting control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which about one-fifth of global oil typically transits. - 'The issue is always nuclear' - The US leader on Wednesday lashed out at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

    Trump warns Iran blockade could last months, sending oil soaring
  8. Citizen Digital

    German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who earlier had offered guarded support to Trump, said Monday that "the Americans obviously have no strategy" in Iran and that the war was "at the very least ill-considered".

    Trump warns Iran better 'get smart soon' and accept nuclear deal
  9. Citizen Digital

    The wave of attacks has allegedly been directed at MPs from several parties including the speaker of parliament, a senior member of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's CDU party, as well as civil servants, diplomats and journalists.

    Germany launches spying probe into Signal attacks targeting MPs
World & Region

G7 leaders unite on pressuring Russia over Ukraine war

The News

G7 leaders at a three-day summit hailed newly-found unity on increasing pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, sensing a shift by President Donald Trump to take a tougher line against Moscow. The leaders agreed on a final statement involving key geopolitical issues and committed to increasing supplies of air defence equipment to Ukraine.

18 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 18 June

  1. G7 leaders unite on pressuring Russia over Ukraine war

    G7 leaders at a three-day summit hailed newly-found unity on increasing pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine, sensing a shift by President Donald Trump to take a tougher line against Moscow. The leaders agreed on a final statement involving key geopolitical issues and committed to increasing supplies of air defence equipment to Ukraine.

    18 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 17 June

  1. G7 leaders commit to dismantle migrant smuggling networks

    G7 leaders, alongside G7 partner countries Kenya and Korea, agreed Tuesday to intensify efforts against human trafficking and migrant smuggling by dismantling organised criminal networks and disrupting their business models.

    17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Ruto attends G7 Summit in France to advocate for Africa

    President William Ruto arrived in Evian, France, to represent Africa at the G7 Leaders' Summit, invited by French President Emmanuel Macron. Ruto, accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto and Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, will participate in discussions on the economy, international trade, climate action, security, and artificial intelligence.

    16 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Ruto represents Africa at G7 Summit in France

    President William Ruto arrived in Evian, France, to participate in the G7 Leaders' Summit as an invited guest of French President Emmanuel Macron. Ruto is expected to advocate for reforms of the global financial system and stronger Africa-world partnerships on trade, infrastructure, and energy.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 15 June

  1. Ruto to attend G7 summit in France for Africa agenda

    President William Ruto is travelling to Evian, France for the G7 Leaders' Summit, where he will champion Africa's economic agenda and push for reforms to the global financial system. He received a personal invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron and will present Africa's common position as shaped during the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi last month.

    15 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 23 May

  1. Zelensky pushes for full EU membership, rejects associate-member plan

    President Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted Ukraine deserves full EU membership rather than the "associate member" status without voting rights proposed by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Zelensky argued that Ukraine's presence in the EU must be complete with full rights, citing his country's defence of Europe against Russian invasion.

    23 May 2026 · The Standard

Friday 22 May

  1. Rubio criticises NATO allies for refusing Iran war support

    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has renewed criticism of NATO members for not supporting the US war on Iran, saying that while many agree Iran is a nuclear threat, they refuse to help despite not being asked to commit troops or fighter jets. Rubio made the remarks ahead of NATO foreign minister talks in Sweden, following a US-Israel joint attack on Iran on February 28.

    22 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 21 May

  1. German couple arrested for suspected spying for China

    German federal prosecutors arrested a married couple identified as Xuejun C. and Hua S. on suspicion of working for a Chinese intelligence agency and seeking information on high-tech with military applications by establishing contacts with German scientists at universities and research institutions.

    21 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 16 May

  1. US cancels planned 4,000-troop deployment to Poland

    The United States has canceled the planned deployment of 4,000 soldiers to Poland as Washington reorganizes its forces in Europe following a decision to withdraw thousands of troops from Germany. The cancellation, ordered by the Secretary of Defense, affected the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, with some elements already deployed and equipment in transit.

    16 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 6 May

  1. US pauses Strait of Hormuz escorts to pursue Iran peace deal

    President Trump announced the US will pause its operation escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz, citing progress toward a peace agreement with Iran. Secretary of State Rubio said the US has completed offensive operations against Iran while reserving the right to respond to further attacks on shipping.

    6 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 5 May

  1. World leaders urge Iran back to talks as Mideast ceasefire crumbles

    World leaders including Germany, France, Britain and Saudi Arabia are pressing Iran to return to diplomacy as the Middle East ceasefire deteriorates following exchanges of fire between Iran and the United States over the Strait of Hormuz, and Iranian attacks reported by the United Arab Emirates for the first time since the truce was declared nearly a month ago.

    5 May 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 2 May

  1. US orders withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany

    US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next six to twelve months, according to the Pentagon, amid tensions between the US and Europe over the Mideast war and trade disputes.

    2 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Trump rejects Iran's peace proposal, denies satisfaction with talks

    US President Donald Trump said Friday he was "not satisfied" with a new Iranian negotiating proposal, as peace talks remain frozen despite a weeks-long ceasefire that began in April. Trump blamed stalled negotiations on "tremendous discord" within Iran's leadership and faced pressure at home to seek congressional authorization for the conflict.

    2 May 2026 · The Standard

  3. US approves arms sales to Qatar and Israel amid Middle East conflict

    The United States approved a $4 billion sale of Patriot missiles to Qatar and a nearly $1 billion sale of precision weapons systems to Israel, citing support for US foreign policy and national security objectives. The Pentagon also announced the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year.

    2 May 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 30 April

  1. Trump says Iran naval blockade could last months, oil prices spike

    US President Donald Trump stated that a naval blockade against Iran could last months, causing oil prices to reach their highest level in more than four years. With US-Iran diplomacy at a standstill, Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned of "damaging consequences" if the US and Israel resume military action against Iran.

    30 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 29 April

  1. Trump demands Iran dismantle nuclear program under blockade

    President Trump warned Iran to "get smart soon" and accept U.S. demands for strict nuclear controls, as a U.S. naval blockade pressures Iran's economy. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump has decided to reject Iran's latest deal proposal and intends to continue the blockade until Tehran dismantles its nuclear programme.

    29 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 25 April

  1. Germany investigates phishing attacks on MPs via Signal

    German prosecutors launched a spying investigation into phishing attacks targeting lawmakers on the Signal messaging app, with attacks allegedly directed at MPs from several parties, civil servants, diplomats and journalists. The attacks work by sending fake Signal support messages to trick victims into handing over account information, potentially allowing hackers to access chat groups, messages, photos and files.

    25 April 2026 · Citizen Digital

Friedrich Merz — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute