German Council on Foreign Relations

  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen_Nov 2025

    Standhalten im Sturm

    Warum die EU eine stabile Mitte im Parlament braucht
    Dr. Linn Selle
    Memo
  • 163rd Plenary Session of the CoR

    National Cohesion

    A Key Element for European ­Resilience Against the Russian Threat
    Across Europe, governments face the challenge of keeping national ­cohesion on security and defense. In times of economic crisis and ongoing Russian aggression, there is a growing distrust in institutions and political elites within societies.
    Dr. Stefan Meister
    Toms Rostoks
    Policy Brief
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a press briefing at the United States Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Nov. 23, 2025 with US and Ukraine flags in background

    Ein fehlgeleiteter „Friedensplan“ und seine Folgen

    Amerikaner und Russen wollten Frieden schließen auf Kosten der Ukraine und Europas. Das konnten die Europäer verhindern. Nun müssen sie handeln, um sich Respekt zu verschaffen.
    Dr. Patrick Keller
    Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff
    Kommentar
  • India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi waits to receive European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, February 28, 2025.

    The US-India Breakdown Creates an Opening for Europe

    purchasable

    Germany’s relationship with India is slowly improving, and so is Europe’s at large. President Donald Trump’s torpedoing of US-India ties offers an opportunity to enhance this relationship even further. 

    Dr. Barnaby Dye
    IPQ
  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen meets with U.S. President Donald Trump during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, New York, U.S., September 23, 2025.

    Herausforderung Amerika

    Mit seinem chaotisch wirkenden Handelsprotektionismus hat US-Präsident Donald Trump Neuland betreten. Die EU muss sich auf weiterhin unsichere transatlantische Handelsbeziehungen einstellen – und ihre geoökonomische Abschreckung stärken.

    Dr. Markus Jaeger
    IP Special
  • Bild: Pressekonferenz der Exekutiv-Vizepräsidentin der Europäischen Kommission für technologische Souveränität, Sicherheit und Demokratie, Henna Virkkunen

    Europas digitale Zeitenwende

    Die Europäische Union braucht eine Grand Strategy für das digitale Zeitalter – eine wertebasierte Alternative zum amerikanischen Techno-Kapitalismus und zum chinesischen Digital-Autoritarismus.

    Dr. Katja Muñoz
    Kai Zenner
    IP Special
Selenskyj, Starmer, Merz, Macron, Dezember 2025

Taking the Pulse: Should Europe Negotiate with Russia?

Dr. Stefan Meister
By negotiating directly with the Kremlin, the Trump administration has broken the taboo on diplomatic contacts with Russia. With Ukrainian and European security at stake, is it time for Brussels to open its own communication channel to Moscow?
External Publications
Ursula von der Leyen - Edi Rama meeting in Albania

Albania’s EU Accession Sprint

Balancing Momentum, Reform, and EU Scrutiny
Milan Nič
Nikola Xaviereff
Albania has emerged as one of the most rapidly advancing EU candidate countries, having opened all negotiation clusters and aiming to complete talks by 2027. Its progress is driven by strong geopolitical alignment, broad public support, and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s active engagement with EU leaders. Yet rapid advancement masks notable challenges.
External Publications
163rd Plenary Session of the CoR

National Cohesion

A Key Element for European ­Resilience Against the Russian Threat
Dr. Stefan Meister
Toms Rostoks
Across Europe, governments face the challenge of keeping national ­cohesion on security and defense. In times of economic crisis and ongoing Russian aggression, there is a growing distrust in institutions and political elites within societies.
Policy Brief
Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Moscow, Russia August 6, 2025.

A European Peace Plan for Ukraine

purchasable

US President Donald Trump seems prepared to bring Russia’s war against Ukraine to an end at almost any cost. The Europeans need to become more active players.

Dr. Stefan Meister
IPQ
G7-Gipfel 2025: Bilaterales Treffen zwischen dem deutschen Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (CDU) und dem Premierminister von Indien Narendra Modi

Seize the Moment to ­Deepen the Energy Partnership with India

Dr. Barnaby Dye
Dr. Abdullah Fahimi
While Delhi currently prioritizes patching up ties with the Trump administration, Berlin should continue to cultivate initiatives across numerous fields. Given the current focus on energy, a deal on green technology would be especially timely and could bring outsized rewards.
Memo

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