Merz hosts NATO’s Rutte in Berlin – DW – 12/11/2025

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin amid tensions between Europe and the US.

NATO allies including Germany are pushing for greater European involvement in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the administration of US President Donald Trump has published a national security strategy that says Washington does not consider Russia a threat, but sharply criticizes the EU.

Rutte and Merz are scheduled to hold a press conference at 10:35 a.m. local time (0935 UTC).

In the afternoon, Rutte is giving the keynote address at an event at the Munich Security Conference, followed by a panel discussion with Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful.

Morning From Bonn, where the weather is unusually hot in December And The sky seems to promise some shade of blue.

We look forward to the press conference this morning from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO chief Mark Rutte.

In Berlin, Rutte is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) organization and meet German Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful.

It’s also a busy day for German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who is reportedly meeting with his French and potentially Spanish counterparts to discuss the European combat air system FCAS.

We are also monitoring the court’s decision in the abuse case against the Catholic Church in Cologne in the afternoon.

Plus: New growth forecast for Germany Former Chancellor Angela Merkel gives an interview and update on the damage to the PCK pipeline in Brandenburg.