Germany's Federal Prosecutor’s Office says three men have been charged with working for one of Russia’s intelligence agencies in a “particularly serious case.”

Terry Virts, a retired US astronaut, has called for scaling back joint missions with Russia on the International Space Station, likening current cooperation to collaborating with Nazi Germany during World War II.

As Germany’s new chancellor increases military spending, he has presided over the activation of a German tank brigade based in Lithuania and raised alarms about the threat from Russia.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged Wednesday to help Ukraine develop its own long-range missile systems that would be free of any Western-imposed limitations on their use and targets as the Kyiv government fights to repel Russia's invasion.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the two countries would also start a joint program to produce long-range weapons that Kyiv can use against Russian targets.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Germany Wednesday to discuss the state of German military support, which could include a delivery of powerful missiles to Ukraine for use against Russian targets.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said after meeting his US counterpart Marco Rubio that he’s optimistic Washington will issue new sanctions against Russia if President Vladimir Putin continues to dodge a peace agreement with Ukraine.

Russia launched its largest yet air assaults on Ukraine’s cities. In response, the EU threatens sanctions and missiles.