The Latest Breaking News from Friedrich Merz

The leaders of France and Germany on Friday vowed to step up pressure on Russia over its war against Ukraine, warning that President Vladimir Putin was showing little appetite to end Moscow's three-and-a-half year onslaught against its neighbour.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will have "played" his US counterpart Donald Trump if the Kremlin chief fails to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday.

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged France’s “determined support” for Moldova and its goal of joining the European Union during a visit with the leaders of Germany and Poland on Wednesday. The trip came on the eve of campaigning for next month’s parliamentary elections amid claims of Russian interference.

EU defence production has been hindered by the sector's high level of fragmentation as many member states have historically favoured their own domestic defence industries on national security grounds.

Ahead of the Moldovan parliamentary elections on 28 September, the leaders of France, Germany and Poland visited Chișinău on the 34th anniversary of Moldova's independence.

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that the country aims to recruit around 100,000 new personnel by 2030.

Germany’s leaders have launched a drive to attract more people into voluntary military service

The German cabinet on Wednesday signed off steps to boost recruitment for the country's armed forces and strengthen military readiness in the face of high tensions between NATO and Russia.

French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will travel to Chisinau on Wednesday for Moldova’s 34th Independence Day. Their visit is meant to celebrate the occasion and show European support for the country’s push to join the EU.