Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, traveled to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on Sunday, accompanied by Katrin Riexinger, the Minister of Economy, and a delegation of German economic figures. Upon his arrival, Merz emphasized: "If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will move towards us."
Aerial Attacks and Infrastructure Damage
As air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv, the city's mayor announced that one of Kyiv's bridges had been targeted by a Russian drone attack. These attacks come as Russia has targeted energy infrastructure and bridges across the Dnipro River. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, described the situation in Kyiv as "very dramatic" on Friday.
During this visit, Merz is expected to announce a new package of aid to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion, which includes one billion euros in military aid and 350 million euros for energy sector repairs. He is also set to unveil plans for joint production of interceptor drones and long-range missiles in Ukraine and Germany.
Weapon Development and Military Cooperation
According to published information, weapon production will focus on the development and delivery of thousands of drones capable of intercepting fast and motorized Russian drones. Additionally, an increase in the production of missiles with a range of over 1,000 kilometers is anticipated, enhancing Ukraine's ability to target military and logistical objectives deep within Russian territory.
Merz will also point out that Germany will benefit from this expanded cooperation, both in terms of defense against Russia's hybrid activities and in job creation and technology. He is expected to discuss political reform progress in Ukraine and the ongoing fight against corruption with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine.
This visit comes as the Russian Foreign Ministry has advised foreign diplomats and visitors to avoid Kyiv, especially military and government buildings. The statement noted that "the responsibility for any negative consequences rests entirely with those who ignore this warning."
Upon his arrival in Kyiv, Merz stated: "Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks." He also referenced the onset of winter and the intensification of Russian attacks, saying: "The fifth winter of war is beginning."
This visit marks the fourth trip by the Chancellor of Germany to Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. Merz previously visited Kyiv in May 2025, at which time he was accompanied by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, and Keir Starmer, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
