SZ am Abend: News from May 20, 2025

EU approves new sanctions against Russia. The package of punitive measures includes, among other things, further tightening the crackdown on the so-called Russian shadow fleet, which Moscow used to transport oil and oil products. However, the Europeans cannot impose tough sanctions without Trump's approval. Read the article (SZ PLUS)

Europeans fear Trump's withdrawal from Ukraine. Brussels had high expectations for Trump's phone call with Putin. But the US president has made it clear that he does not want new sanctions against Russia. He has apparently decided to leave the problem of the Ukraine war entirely to the Europeans. Read the article

• Where the front runs – Day 1182 (SZ Plus)

EXCLUSIVE Wirecard CEO Marsalek also offered his spy services to China. Jan Marsalek had close contacts in China – this is now documented in chats. According to information from Süddeutsche Zeitung , NDR, WDR, and the Austrian news magazine Profil, Marsalek is said to have worked not only for Russian agencies since his escape, but also for China. According to the chats, Marsalek even planned to spy on the Uighur community in Munich for Beijing. Read the article (SZ Plus)

BKA reports record number of politically motivated crimes. Hate, incitement, and increasing violence, for example against election campaigners: The Federal Criminal Police Office registered more than 84,000 politically motivated crimes in 2024 – the highest number in two decades. The greatest threat comes from the right. Read the article (SZ Plus)

Deutsche Bahn's restructuring program: Annual targets are at risk. Every three months, Deutsche Bahn CEO Lutz must prove to the transport minister that his restructuring plan is working. According to the initial report, the economic situation has improved. However, Deutsche Bahn sees problems in the restructuring areas of profitability, infrastructure, and operations. The infrastructure division, DB Infrago, is performing particularly poorly. Read the article (SZ Plus)

Azerbaijan trial: Former CSU MP admits to forwarding money payments. With astonishing candor, the defendant, Eduard Lintner, confirms the prosecutor's account: forwarding millions in Azerbaijani money payments—including to a CDU MP. The now 80-year-old, however, defends this as "normal lobbying." Read the article

WHO members adopt the pandemic treaty . If a global health crisis erupts again, there should be no more chaotic conditions like those experienced during the coronavirus pandemic. The treaty regulates the orderly procurement of protective equipment and is intended to ensure the fair distribution of vaccines. It will only enter into force once 60 member states of the World Health Organization have ratified it. Read the article