German FM heads to The Hague for talks on EU budget, European defence

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will travel to The Hague for talks with Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen and representatives of the International Criminal Court (ICC), dpa reports.

The EU budget for 2028–2034 will be among the topics discussed. Germany and the Netherlands, along with Austria, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, are calling for a reduction in the €1.76 trillion budget proposed by the European Commission. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz previously called for the draft to be cut by several hundred billion euros.

The sides will also discuss coordination of military assistance to Ukraine, the development of European defence cooperation and strengthening NATO’s eastern flank.

During the visit, Wadephul will hold separate meetings with ICC President Tomoko Akane and the court’s Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan.

The talks come amid US sanctions pressure on ICC officials and calls by US President Donald Trump for countries to withdraw from the court.

By Jeyhun Aghazada