Germany and France hold joint cabinet talks on Ukraine, NATO and French election

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron met in Brühl, North Rhine‑Westphalia, for a joint cabinet meeting. The leaders discussed mutual cooperation on Ukraine, European security and NATO, as well as Middle‑East developments. They pledged deeper defence ties, including German participation in the French "Volunteers' Coalition" military exercise and the possibility of German forces joining a French nuclear deterrence drill. Merz commented on the upcoming 2027 French presidential election, noting that a potential far‑right victory would still need to act in line with German‑French interests. Macron urged adherence to the U.S.–Iran agreement concerning the Strait of Hormuz. The two also highlighted joint projects in artificial intelligence and energy policy.