German Chancellor Merz visits Gulf nations to secure energy deals and reduce U.S. dependency post-Russia gas phaseout.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz began a three-day Gulf tour visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to diversify energy supplies and reduce reliance on U.S. LNG, following the end of Russian gas imports. The trip focuses on securing liquefied natural gas and green hydrogen deals, strengthening defense cooperation, and expanding economic ties amid growing concerns over U.S. geopolitical leverage. Germany also launched new investigations into Lufthansa’s Nazi-era past and faces rising healthcare wait times, with specialists now requiring an average 42-day wait.