Merz pledges support for Ukraine as air raid sirens and explosions sound in Kyiv
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv on Sunday, pledging support for Ukraine and urging Russia to halt attacks as Germany prepared military and energy aid.
Kyiv, Ukraine. Air raid sirens and explosions sounded in Ukraine’s capital on Sunday as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, pledging support for Ukraine and urging Russia to halt its escalating attacks.
Military and energy support
Merz will announce a package of measures including the release of €1 billion ($1.13 billion) in military aid and €350 million for repairs in the energy sector, German government officials said. A deal for joint production of various types of drones is also due to be finalised.
The two leaders visited the badly damaged building of Ukraine’s Academy of Sciences, where at least two people died in a drone strike last week. Russia struck central Kyiv with some of the most persistent drone attacks since the war began in 2022.
“I can only repeat it once again from this point: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war,” Merz said.
“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,” he added.
Strikes damage bridge and hot water system
Four air raid alerts were heard across Kyiv on Sunday morning, along with explosions and the sound of air defence systems.
One Russian strike hit the Northern Bridge across the Dnipro River, damaging its roadway, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram. He said the strike injured two people and damaged a hot water supply system in the area.
Russia has been attacking Kyiv’s bridges since last week in an effort to disrupt links between the capital’s two banks and logistics routes between central and eastern Ukraine.
Business delegation and reforms
Merz is accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and an economic delegation that includes executives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, Quantum Systems and other companies.
He is also expected to press the Ukrainian government for progress on reforms requested by EU partners, including measures to combat corruption.
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