CDU's victory and AfD's unprecedented 20.8% in German elections set the morning tone, marking a shift in European politics. Le Scouarnec's trial opening dominated midday coverage, with the former surgeon admitting responsibility for most of the 299 sexual assault charges.
The afternoon centered on EU leaders visiting Kiev for the war's third anniversary, with Von der Leyen announcing €3.5B in aid. An incendiary device attack on Russia's Marseille consulate punctuated coverage of Ukraine-related developments.
Evening focused on Macron's Washington visit, where he signaled European readiness to deploy troops in Ukraine to verify peace terms - a major shift in NATO positioning. Trump's characterization of Zelensky as "toxic" and emphasis on Europe's central role in peace negotiations suggested continued US disengagement, while Macron insisted on avoiding a "fragile deal" that would amount to Ukrainian capitulation.