By Sarah Marsh and Matthias Williams BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday said Europe was prepared to fight if necessary for its core values of freedom and democracy, in an explicit riposte to the Trump administration's repeated criticisms of the European Union.

The two leaders are expected to discuss Germany's military assistance and ceasefire efforts, a German government spokesperson said.

The German government on Wednesday agreed plans to restrict family reunions for some migrants and toughen rules for obtaining citizenship. A clampdown

Chinese President Xi Jinping and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in a call on Friday highlighted the importance of their countries' relationship as both China and Europe are trying to tackle uncertainty caused by U.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz for the first time publicly advocated spending up to 5% of the German economy on defense.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has traveled to NATO partner Lithuania to inaugurate a German brigade meant to protect the alliance’s eastern flank in the face of mounting worries about Russia.

The chancellor is trying to create an alibi for a crime against humanity that he has supported more unconditionally than almost any other German politician for a year and a half—without changing his policies in the slightest.

Everything suggests that the military conflict on the Ukraine sees the new Chancellor Friedrich Merz as a historic chance to return Germany to a full-fledged military role in Europe. This was stated by Senator Alexei Pushkov.