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“The Federal Government explicitly welcomes this sovereign decision by our Scandinavian friends,” said the Federal Chancellor on Tuesday in Berlin, following the announcement of the application for membership of NATO by the governments of Finland and Sweden. Scholz called this a historic step for NATO and for Europe.

Foreign Minister Baerbock has visited Ukraine. While in Bucha she pledged Germany’s support in solving war crimes, saying: “We owe it to the victims.” She also met President Zelensky and Foreign Minister Kuleba. The German embassy in Kyiv is being reopened.

Germany is continuing its comprehensive support for global efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. It is contributing a further 1.5 billion US dollars to the ACT-A initiative in 2022, making it the second-largest donor worldwide. As the Federal Chancellor said in his address to the second Global COVID-19 summit, Germany intended to use its G7 Presidency “to set a good example.”

At a donors’ conference for Ukraine on Thursday, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz pledged an additional 125 million euros for humanitarian aid. The Federal Chancellor stated the funds were also to help “increase Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian aggression.”

The Federal Cabinet concluded its closed meeting at Schloss Meseberg. Key issues discussed included the consequences of the war in Ukraine and of climate change for Germany’s economic system. Federal Chancellor Scholz highlighted the pleasant atmosphere during the discussions, saying that the Cabinet members were “very close on a personal level”.

Pensioners will receive more money as of 1 July: payments will increase by 5.35 percent in western Germany and by 6.12 percent in the new federal states. This was announced by the Federal Ministry for Labour and Social Affairs. The development showed that the pension system was working in spite of the current crises, said the Federal Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, Hubertus Heil.

In the 2022 season, the Federal Government will again take numerous measures to ensure a successful and safe harvest. Protecting the health of the workforce during the pandemic has top priority. Seasonal workers from abroad can be vaccinated free of charge in Germany.