Germany news: Defense minister Pistorius arrives in Kyiv

What you need to know

• German Defense Minister Pistorius is in Kyiv
• The visit aims to discuss defense cooperation, including in drones production
• 5 pro-Palestinian activists face trial over attacking Israeli defense company site

Below are the latest developments from and about Germany on Monday, May 11, 2026.  

5 pro-Palestinian activists face trial over Israeli defense company attack

Five pro-Palestinian activists are due back in court in Germany's western city of Stuttgart on Monday, where they are facing trial over an alleged attack on an Israeli defense company's site in the city of Ulm.

The five defendants, three women and two men between 25 and 40 of Irish, British, Spanish and German nationalities, are accused of breaking into the company's premises at night and destroying valuable company inventory.

The company in question is Elbit Systems, a provider of military equipment for the Israeli military. They are accused of attacking the company in September last year, as an act of protest against Germany's support to Israel amid the latter's war on Gaza.

German Chancellor Merz reaffirms support for Israel

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They became known as the Ulm 5 and face charges of criminal damage and trespassing, as well as membership of a criminal organization, over their ties to Palestine Action Germany.

The trial started in late April with dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathering outside court and applauding the defendants as they were brought into the courtroom.

Germany's Pistorius arrives in Kyiv

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius on Monday arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for an unannounced visit aimed to discuss defense cooperation in the field of weapons systems.

Speaking to the German DPA news agency in Kyiv, Pistorius said the main goal of his trip was to strengthen both countries' strategic partnership, including building a new weapons system together.

"Germany and Ukraine are strategic partners, both will profit from this cooperation," he said. "The focus is on the joint development of state-of-the-art unmanned systems across all ranges, particularly in the area of deep strike. This is how we strengthen the security of our countries."

The term "deep strike" refers to the ability to destroy key targets deep within an enemy's territory, an area Ukraine has been attempting to expand on in its war with Russia recently.

NATO's European partners still have so-called capability gaps in the field of long-range weapons, something Pistorius believes needs to be rectified as soon as possible.

Pistorius' visit on Monday comes as a temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is due to expire. The weekend ceasefire was announced by US President Donald Trump on Friday and confirmed by both parties.

It coincided with Russia's military parades celebrating its victory in World War II, parades which President Vladimir Putin was adamant on not disturbing with potential Ukrainian strikes.

Russia marks Victory Day as the Ukraine war drags on

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Welcome to our coverage

Good morning from a gloomy, rainy Bonn day where spring has once again taken a back seat.

We are back from what was a sunny weekend to bring you all the latest news, videos and analyses on all things Germany, including the defense minister's surprise visit to Kyiv and a trial session of pro-Palestinian activists.

Stay tuned!