In Germany, the CDU/CSU party's initiative to limit migration through a vote in the Bundestag has sparked controversy. While 62% of CDU/CSU supporters supported the initiative, only 43% of all Germans approved, with many expressing disapproval of the party's reliance on AfD votes to secure a majority. Despite Friedrich Merz, the CDU/CSU candidate for chancellor, reiterating his commitment to not collaborating with AfD, public trust in his stance appears to have weakened. However, the recent events haven't significantly impacted the CDU/CSU's overall popularity, with a third of Germans expressing support for a future government led by them.
Meanwhile, the upcoming German federal elections on February 23rd are casting a shadow over Ukraine's aid package negotiations. The Ukrainian ambassador to Berlin has urged German political parties to avoid using military aid to his country as an election campaign tool and to approve the new aid package. However, with negotiations stalled, a new package worth three billion euros is unlikely to be agreed upon before the elections. This could result in a significant reduction in German support for Ukraine compared to last year, when it amounted to seven billion euros.
In a separate development, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons if the West intervenes in the conflict in Ukraine. This statement has been met with condemnation from the international community, with many expressing concern about the potential for escalation. The West has reiterated its commitment to supporting Ukraine, but has also stressed the importance of avoiding direct military confrontation with Russia.