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Merz to Appoint Ambassador to Ukraine as New Head of German Intelligence, Spiegel Reports
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reportedly preparing to replace the head of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), with current Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Jäger considered the leading candidate for the post.
According to Spiegel on June 11, which cites government sources, the leadership reshuffle has already been agreed upon behind closed doors. Jäger is expected to succeed Bruno Kahl, who has led the agency for eight years.
Speculation about a change at the helm of Germany’s foreign intelligence service began shortly after Merz’s new government took office. The move signals a broader shift in the country’s national security leadership.
Bruno Kahl is reportedly set to become Germany’s ambassador to the Vatican—a role he had shown interest in as early as late 2024, before the collapse of the previous coalition government. His transfer is said to fulfill a long-standing request.
Earlier, the head of Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service, Bruno Kahl, has warned that Russia may attempt to challenge the credibility of NATO’s Article 5—the Alliance’s collective defense commitment in the event of an attack on any member state.
In an interview with Table Briefings Kahl stated that German intelligence possesses concrete evidence indicating the Kremlin is preparing for potential acts of aggression against NATO.
