The morning featured debates over CDU-SPD coalition debt plans with BSW narrowly missing parliamentary entry. By afternoon, Bundestag sessions turned dramatic as Merz offered Greens €50 billion for climate protection to secure their support for a constitutional amendment enabling massive defense spending. This overture—described by FAZ as Merz "coming to deal out"—faced immediate rejection from Greens who accused him of partisan tactics.
Meanwhile, Trump's Ukraine ceasefire initiative gained traction, with Russian President Putin praising the "noble mission" while attaching extensive conditions. Trump's emissary arrived in Moscow while Putin prepared to outline his demands. This development followed yesterday's breakthrough when Ukraine signaled willingness to withdraw from Russian territory.
International tensions rose as Trump threatened 200% tariffs on certain EU goods, escalating yesterday's trade conflict. The Düsseldorf Uber shooting investigation revealed the victim carried false identification documents.