Europe and U.S. relations in focus as German election reshapes dynamics

The recent German federal election saw the conservative CDU-CSU party win the most votes, with Friedrich Merz likely to become the next chancellor. The far-right Alternative fuer Deutschland (AfD) party gained significant support, securing about 20% of the vote. In Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed willingness to resign for lasting peace under NATO's protection. This statement highlights ongoing tensions in U.S.-European relations, particularly regarding support for Ukraine amid differing views since Donald Trump's presidency. U.S. stocks fell sharply due to inflation concerns, marking the worst day of 2025 for the Dow Jones. Meanwhile, Berkshire Hathaway plans to increase its investments in Japanese trading houses, signaling a long-term commitment to that market.