Germany's Merz visits Kyiv as Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian cities
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday in a show of support for Ukraine as Russia intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities, including a strike on a key bridge in the capital.
Merz, making his second visit to Ukraine since becoming chancellor, said Germany would continue to stand behind Kyiv as it battles Russia's more than 4 1/2-year-old invasion.
“If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,” Merz said in a statement. “You can continue to count on our help,” he told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Merz also described Germany's partnership with Ukraine as mutually beneficial, pointing to joint efforts by German and Ukrainian companies to develop technologies.
“This makes us safer and stronger,” he said.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said talks with Merz would focus on strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and resilience as well as broader European security.
The visit came as Moscow stepped up its aerial campaign, using ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones that are difficult to intercept. Ukraine, meanwhile, has continued attacks on Russian oil facilities and businesses.
A Russian drone struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River on Sunday morning. Video circulating on social media showed the drone flying into the bridge before an explosion as vehicles crossed it. There was no immediate information on casualties.
The strike followed Russian attacks earlier in the week that forced the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv's six road bridges over the Dnipro, disrupting traffic and causing long tailbacks.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said Saturday that Moscow would continue carrying out what it called “mass retaliatory strikes” on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. It also urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Ukraine, repeating a warning it issued in May.
The latest attacks are part of a broader campaign that has struck apartment buildings, supermarket warehouses, gas stations and data centers in Ukraine.
At the same time, Kyiv has stepped up long-range attacks inside Russia, including strikes targeting its oil industry and businesses.
There were no concrete signs Sunday of a breakthrough toward a peace settlement. Fighting along the roughly 1,250-kilometre front line stretching across northern, eastern and southern Ukraine has remained largely deadlocked in recent months.
Merz's visit underscored Germany's continued political and security backing for Ukraine as European governments face renewed concerns over the scale and intensity of Russia's attacks.
