Increase in the number of youth refusing military service

Russia has summoned Germany’s ambassador over alleged contacts between German politicians and terrorist groups.

Ambassador Alexander Graf Lambsdorff was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow for a meeting at 11 a.m. local time, his office said. No details were given about the allegations. Lambsdorff said he would attend.

According to a spokesman, Lambsdorff already said, “Of course, I will comply with the subpoena. I think the Russian side will not be able to prove its allegations.”

More information was expected after the meeting. Relations between Germany and Russia have been tense for years.

Conscientious objection applications are on the rise in Germany amid a tense security environment and the introduction of a new military service law, according to a report.

The reform, which took effect in January, introduces mandatory screening for youths born in 2008 or later, with the aim of promoting voluntary military recruitment. Parliament will be able to activate compulsory service if recruitment targets are missed.

The news comes a day after Bavarian state premier Markus Söder called for the resumption of mandatory military conscription.

The newspaper Neue Osnabrucker Zeitung, citing figures from the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Actions, reported that 2,656 people had applied in the first quarter of the year.

By comparison, there were 2,998 applications in 2024 and 3,867 applications in 2025, according to government data. If the trend continues, the highest level since membership was suspended in 2011 could be seen in 2026.

At the same time, some applicants have reversed the earlier decisions. There were 781 such cases last year and 233 in the first quarter of this year.

Germany’s military spending has increased by more than a fifth, reaching €97 billion (about $114 billion) in 2025.

A report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said the 24% increase made Germany the world’s fourth largest defense donor. Global military spending to reach record high in 2025.

Only China, Russia and the United States are spending more. Globally, military expenditure increased by 2.9% to approximately $2.89 trillion. SIPRI said the main driver was 14% growth in Europe, marking the fastest annual growth in Central and Western Europe since the end of the Cold War.

Germany has now recorded double-digit growth for three consecutive years, spending 2.3% of GDP on defense – exceeding NATO’s 2% benchmark for the first time since 1990. Berlin aims to increase this to 3.5% by 2029. European NATO members together plan to spend $559 billion in 2025.

good day From the DW newsroom in Bonn.

Join us amid the news that according to research institute SIPRI, Germany was fourth in the world in terms of military expenditure last year.

At the same time, amid discussion of possible military conscription, there was an increase in the number of young Germans listing themselves as conscientious objectors.

For these and other latest stories from Germany, stay tuned right here.