Overview

• President Steinmeier's Bundestag address emphasized the dangers of nationalism, isolation, and contempt for democracy, linking these lessons to modern challenges.
• Steinmeier criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine and denounced U.S. policies under Trump as a 'double epochal break,' urging steadfast commitment to democratic values.
• Interior Minister Dobrindt announced stricter border controls, allowing selective refusals of asylum-seekers while exempting vulnerable groups, though without invoking an EU 'national emergency.'
• Chancellor Merz conducted his first call with President Trump, agreeing to resolve trade disputes and collaborate on peace efforts in Ukraine.
• The commemorations also reaffirmed Germany's recognition of the Red Army's role in WWII while rejecting Kremlin narratives equating its current actions to anti-fascism.