⌨The limited energy infrastructure ceasefire announced in the Trump-Putin call was immediately tested, with Russian drone attacks continuing overnight despite the agreement. Putin appears to be manipulating Trump while issuing a new ultimatum to Ukraine. Selenskyj held his own call with Trump, after which both claimed the war could end this year.
In domestic politics, Merz announced radical reforms including cuts to pensions, welfare benefits, and the heating legislation following the debt package approval. German businesses face significant economic challenges, with reports of an insolvency wave, Deutsche Bank planning 2,000 job cuts, and continued manufacturing job losses at Mercedes, Porsche, and Bosch.
Internationally, Turkey's Erdoğan arrested his main political rival, Istanbul mayor İmamoğlu, in what German papers described as a "coup from above." Meanwhile, Israel resumed its ground offensive in Gaza after the ceasefire ended.