Description:
Episode 2197. Merz makes a surprise train trip to Kiev with his CDU polling at a historic low, and Alex asks whether the real purpose is a Taurus missile rebranded as a Ukrainian long range weapon. As Russia hits Kiev's bridges again, a strategy Alexander flagged months ago, Zelensky promises retaliation on Russian refineries while the New York Times reports Putin raised a 20 billion dollar Lukoil asset sale with Witkoff and Kushner involving investors tied to Trump allies. Is this escalation, a business deal, or both at once?
Timeline:
00:00:00 Merz surprise train trip to Kiev
00:04:47 Taurus missiles rebranded as FP9?
00:06:06 Russia warns diplomats, Kiev bridges hit again
00:07:45 Pontoon bridge and tunnel plans
00:10:27 Zelensky tells Reuters retaliation is coming
00:15:30 Trump allies and the Lukoil assets deal
00:22:36 EU natural gas prices surge
00:23:20 Zelensky and the EU 90 billion loan
00:26:07 Houthis claim Aramco refinery strike in Riyadh
00:27:40 G7 releases 100 million barrels
00:30:20 Spain housing protests
00:32:45 Brazil election first round
00:33:50 Bosnia and Latvia elections
00:35:35 Clown World: Sandu warns Finland
00:38:10 FlyDubai co pilot crash axe update