As Russia launches a fresh wave of attacks across Ukraine and the Kremlin signals it could pursue economic deals with the United States — under certain conditions — Vladimir Putin is also floating a controversial idea: former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator for Europe. In this episode, host Nina Haase discusses the Russian president’s controversial suggestion with her guests.

Is the relationship between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and US President Donald Trump on the rocks?!. Is the exchange of political fire that saw Merz describe the US as “humiliated” by Iran – and Trump respond with troop withdrawals and tariffs – just a blip? Hosts Nina Haase and Michaela Küfner welcome DW’s Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl to analyse Trump’s latest blows against Germany.

A blunt remark by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has triggered a sharp response from US President Donald Trump — and reopened questions about the state of transatlantic relations. After Merz publicly criticized Washington’s handling of Iran, saying the US s being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership, Trump hinted at reviewing the US troop presence in Germany, raising security and diplomatic stakes.