The King got a two-minute standing ovation after becoming the first British monarch to address the German Parliament today with a witty speech celebrating our ability to laugh with and at each other. He cited the two nations’ mutual move of everything from Monty Python to The Beatles, the electronic Krautrock band Kraftwerk and in a solemn moment he even mentioned the war but he got away with it.

Britain's Charles III will address the German parliament on Thursday, becoming the first monarch to do so, on the occasion of his inaugural state visit as king.

Germany marks the first trip abroad for Charles since ascending the throne, which is being interpreted as a "strong gesture" to build post-Brexit ties with the continent.

Arriving for his three-day trip on Wednesday, he and Queen Consort Camilla were greeted with military honours at the Brandenburg Gate, the first time the iconic site had lent the backdrop for such a ceremony.

The German government on Wednesday paved the way for its troops’ participation in a European Union military mission in Niger, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters after the cabinet decision.

Germany intends to deploy up to 60 soldiers to Niger as part of an EU operation designed to support the government in Niamey in the build-up of its forces.

Germany delivered the 18 advanced main battle tanks after Ukrainian crews were trained to operate them, British broadcaster the BBC reported.

Eighteen is four more than previously agreed, according to news outlets.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said the Leopards 2s “have made it into the hands of our Ukrainian friends as promised and on time.”

He added he was certain the Leopard 2s could “make a decisive contribution” on the frontlines of Ukraine’s war against the Russian assault.

Heavy losses of equipment in battle mean that Ukraine’s military needs more tanks, artillery and air defenses, as well as maintenance for them, according to a letter from the German treasury to the parliament revealed by Der Spiegel on Tuesday. 

The Ukrainian military has received 18 Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Germany, Der Spiegel reported on Monday. Kiev has already taken delivery of Leopards from Poland, but Western analysts say it will need several times more that amount in order to make an impact on the battlefield.

The tanks left Germany last week and were handed over at an undisclosed location along Ukraine’s border, the magazine reported, citing anonymous sources. While the exact location of the handover was not made clear, most Western-supplied weapons to date have entered Ukraine via Poland.

Russia's diplomatic links to Europe continue to collapse at a moment nuclear rhetoric is increasing and growing more dangerous. Simple communication among governments also continues to grow worse, making conflict de-escalation among major powers all the more difficult.

On Monday Der Spiegel reported that 18 Leopard 2 battle tanks have been received by the Ukrainian government, after the tanks were successfully delivered at the Ukrainian border.