Merz Brings German Support Pledge to Kyiv as Russian Attacks Continue
Kabarsaji.com – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled to Kyiv on Sunday as Russia continued striking the Ukrainian capital and other critical targets, underscoring the pressure facing Ukraine as another winter of war approaches.
Merz met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the heavily damaged Academy of Sciences building, where a drone attack last week killed at least two people. The location served as a visible reminder of the civilian impact of the continuing conflict.
“We are ready for talks, we are ready to discuss bringing this war to an end, but these barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop. I can only repeat once again: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war.”
Merz arrived by train early Sunday with German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and representatives of major German businesses. Executives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defense and Quantum Systems were among the delegation, reflecting Berlin’s interest in expanding both emergency support and longer-term defense cooperation with Ukraine.
Speaking after his arrival, Merz warned that the consequences of Russia’s military buildup would not remain confined to Ukraine if Moscow were allowed to continue unchecked.
“If Russia is not stopped, it will turn its war machine against us sooner or later.”
Air Raid Alerts During the Visit
Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Kyiv on Sunday morning. During the chancellor’s visit, the city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said a Russian drone had struck the Northern Bridge, damaging the road surface and prompting an emergency response.
“Impact on the road surface of the Northern Bridge. Emergency services are heading to the scene,”
Kyiv has faced attacks on bridges over the Dnipro River, energy facilities and residential areas in recent days. Klitschko had described the city’s position as extremely serious on Friday, while Zelenskyy said residents were enduring a “terrible situation” marked by “horrific days and nights.”
Zelenskyy condemned the latest strikes and called the attackers “absolute barbarians,” stressing that international assistance remained essential while Ukraine faced persistent aerial attacks.
“It is vital that Ukraine is not left alone in the face of this terror.”
Russia’s Foreign Ministry had issued a warning shortly before the visit, telling foreign diplomats and visitors to avoid Kyiv, particularly military and government facilities. Moscow said its strikes were a response to what it described as attacks by Ukrainian forces on civilian infrastructure inside Russia.
Merz’s delegation continued with its planned program despite the warnings and the attacks. He said Ukraine would require substantial backing in the weeks ahead, especially as colder weather could increase the damage caused by attacks on homes, electricity systems and heating infrastructure.
“A fifth winter of war is about to begin. Russia is bombarding cities, apartments and power stations. I will tell President Zelenskyy today: ‘You can count on our help.’”
More Than €1.3 Billion in New Assistance
Germany pledged a new package exceeding €1.3 billion, or roughly $1.5 billion, combining military assistance with support for Ukraine’s energy sector. The package includes €1 billion in defense aid and €350 million intended to help repair energy infrastructure before winter.
The energy component is particularly significant because repeated attacks on power stations and related facilities can disrupt electricity, water and heating services for large urban populations. Restoring damaged systems before winter is therefore both a humanitarian concern and a practical requirement for keeping daily life and industry functioning.
Zelenskyy also said Germany and Ukraine had concluded 15 agreements with a combined value of more than €8.5 billion, or about $9.6 billion. These arrangements cover defense collaboration, procurement, production and joint projects located in Ukraine.
A major focus is expected to be drone technology. German and Ukrainian partners are preparing plans to develop and supply thousands of interceptor drones designed to counter the fast, jet-powered drones increasingly used by Russia against Ukrainian infrastructure. The cooperation also includes plans to increase production of long-range weapons able to reach targets more than 1,000 kilometers, or 620 miles, away.
For Kyiv, expanding domestic and joint production can reduce the distance between development, manufacturing and battlefield needs. For Germany, the cooperation is also presented as a way to strengthen its own security and technological capacity.
“German and Ukrainian companies are jointly developing technologies that benefit both countries. That makes us safer and stronger,”
A Continuing Pattern of German Visits
Merz’s trip was the fourth visit to Ukraine by a German chancellor since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. His predecessor, Olaf Scholz, made two visits during his three years in office.
Merz first went to Kyiv in May 2025, only four days after becoming chancellor. That earlier trip included French President Emmanuel Macron, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The latest visit comes at a moment when Ukraine is confronting intensified attacks on urban infrastructure while seeking sustained military supplies and investment in its defense industry. Merz’s presence in Kyiv, along with the announced aid and industrial agreements, signals that German support is intended to extend beyond immediate weapons deliveries toward energy recovery, production capacity and joint security technology.
As the conflict moves toward a fifth winter, Kyiv’s central challenge remains protecting civilians and essential services while maintaining its ability to defend against increasingly sophisticated aerial threats. Germany’s new commitments are designed to address both pressures at once.
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