08:18⇢Merz's Defeat in the European Thicket
⌨German editors are analyzing Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s diplomatic failure at the EU summit, where his push to seize frozen Russian assets was blocked by France and Italy (Spiegel, Welt, Junge Freiheit, Zeit). Instead, the EU agreed on a 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine (FAZ, Bild, Sueddeutsche, FR, WAZ). Outlets highlight Merz’s lack of influence in Brussels and the resulting financial burden on European taxpayers (Tagesspiegel, Welt, Junge Freiheit).