Giorgia Meloni receives Mette Frederiksen in Rome, Italy
Remigration, Demonstration by far-right Falange Española organization in Madrid, Spain - 23 May 2025
German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda at the Presidential Palace in Vilnius. His visit to Lithuania was timed to the formal inauguration of the German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania."
Groups of Jewish settlers attacked and burned Palestinian homes and vehicles in the town of Bruqin, in the northern West Bank. Local residents reported that hundreds of Jewish settlers burned property, planted Israeli flags, and seized surrounding land in the town. This came after an Israeli settler was shot dead by a Palestinian near the Bruqin settlement.
(L-R) German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda inspect the troops during the ceremony of the German brigade inauguration in Vilnius The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
(L-R) German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda inspect the troops during the ceremony of the German brigade inauguration. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
(L-R) German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda inspect the troops during the ceremony of the German brigade inauguration. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
(L-R) German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda inspect the troops during the ceremony of the German brigade inauguration in Vilnius The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during the ceremony of inauguration of the German brigade. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during the ceremony of inauguration of the German brigade. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during the ceremony of inauguration of the German brigade. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks during the ceremony of inauguration of the German brigade. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius speaks during the ceremony of inauguration of the German brigade. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
Lithuanian soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
Passers-by climb on a Bundeswehr PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer during the inauguration ceremony of German brigade at Cathedral Square. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
Members of the German armed forces hand over a Bundeswehr command flag during the inauguration ceremony of the German brigade. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
Lithuanian soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
Passers-by climb on a Bundeswehr PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer during the inauguration ceremony of German brigade at Cathedral Square. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius participate in the inauguration of the German Brigade in Vilnius. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
Helicopters fly over the Cathedral Square during the ceremony of German brigade inauguration. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
General of the Bundeswehr Carsten Breuer (R), German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (2nd R), German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (3rd R), Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene (3rd L) and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda (4th L) stand for a group photo after the inauguration ceremony of German brigade. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.
German soldiers march during the inauguration of the German Brigade' ceremony. The German 45th Armored Brigade "Lithuania" was officially inaugurated at a ceremony held at Cathedral Square in Vilnius, with the participation of German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, and Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. Established in Lithuania on 1 April 2025, the brigade is projected to comprise around 5,000 Bundeswehr soldiers and civilian staff, with full combat readiness expected by 2027.