This week, direct peace talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (47) and Russian leader and warmonger Vladimir Putin (72) could take place in Istanbul. Zelensky invited Putin to attend on Sunday evening: "I will wait for Putin in Turkey on Thursday, personally."
With this and four other topics from Germany and the world, you will be well informed for your Monday and the start of the new week.
This is what happened: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (69, CDU), his counterparts from France, Poland, and Great Britain, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (47) issued Russia an ultimatum for a 30-day ceasefire at a meeting in Kyiv – starting today. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin (72) responded with a counteroffer: direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine could begin on Thursday. US President Donald Trump (78) is urging Ukraine to agree to the talks in Istanbul.
This is why it's important: With his call, Trump has undermined the European initiative, which they claimed he actually supported. They made a ceasefire a condition for negotiations – the US president does not. Trump is also no longer talking about sanctions.
Here's what's next: It remains to be seen how the Europeans will react to Trump's withdrawal – would they also impose sanctions against Russia on their own? Zelenskyy continues to insist on a ceasefire starting today. However, following Trump's request, he announced that he will personally travel to Turkey on Thursday and wait for Putin there.
That's why it's important: Germany's role in this conflict is delicate. Exactly 60 years ago today, the Federal Republic of Germany and Israel resumed diplomatic relations.
This is how it continues: The presidents of both countries, Izchak Herzog (64) and Frank-Walter Steinmeier (69), will commemorate the 60th anniversary of state relations over the next three days with a joint visit program, first in Berlin and then in Israel.
This is what happened: In recent days, there has been an increase in so-called DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks on city websites. Among those affected were Nuremberg, Stuttgart, Dresden, and Berlin. The portals were sometimes unavailable for days.
This is why it's important: The attacks are another sign of the expansion of wars far beyond conventional battlefields. Digital connectivity makes societies more vulnerable – unless they protect themselves accordingly.
Background: In at least one of the cases, a pro-Russian hacker collective has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group Noname057(16) has attacked hundreds of websites in countries that support Ukraine since 2022.
The point is: The massive fluctuations in the financial markets are accompanied by an above-average number of buying and selling by investors. Banks, including Commerzbank, are making a lot of money from this.
That's why it's important: The major German bank, an important financier of German medium-sized businesses, is strengthening its defenses against a takeover by the Italian Unicredit with increasing profitability.
Here's what's next: Commerzbank's fate depends heavily on economic developments. The outlook is bleak if Donald Trump's tariffs trigger a recession. At the same time, however, the bank can also benefit massively from government investments in defense and infrastructure.
This is what it's about: The new federal government made up of the CDU, CSU and SPD wants to take action against the black market for tickets to concerts or sporting events.
That's why it's important: The dishonest business the government wants to tackle thrives primarily on the internet. The black market traders sell their goods primarily on secondary market platforms. "Tens of millions of euros in profits are generated there every year. We want to put an end to this rip-off," said SPD Bundestag member Johannes Fechner (52) to the RND.
Here's what's next: During the last legislative period, the FDP blocked measures, according to Fechner. But now the "important partial consumer protection" can come into effect.
With that, we say goodbye for today and wish you a pleasant start to the week.
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