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Germany's Merz arrives in Kyiv to the sound of sirens and explosions
Confirmed
In Short: Merz emphasized that Germany would not be intimidated by Russian hybrid attacks, stating, 'I can only repeat it once again from this point: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war,' as reported by Themoscowtimes and Devdiscourse.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, coinciding with Russian attacks that included strikes on a bridge in the city, according to ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia) and Al Jazeera (Qatar). The visit was marked by the sound of air raid sirens and explosions, as reported by Internazionale (Italy) and Business Day (South Africa).
Merz's visit aimed to show support for Ukraine amid escalating Russian attacks, as he emphasized during a press conference. He stated, 'I traveled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks,' according to ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia) and Internazionale (Italy).
During his visit, Merz announced a package of measures including the release of 1 billion euros ($1.13 billion) in military aid and 350 million euros for repairs in the energy sector, as reported by German government officials cited in Themoscowtimes, Internazionale (Italy), and Devdiscourse. He also pledged to continue supporting Ukraine, saying, 'You can continue to count on our help,' as quoted by ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia).
Merz's visit also included discussions with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who expressed concern over the increasing number of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Zelensky told Merz that Kyiv’s citizens are going through 'terrible nights and days' due to ongoing Russian attacks, as reported by Al Jazeera (Qatar).
Zelensky also shared intelligence suggesting that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had issued a 'new doctrine' allowing attacks on a broader range of civilian targets, as reported by ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia). Zelensky stated, 'We saw documents and we know that they allow them to attack infrastructure, logistics, and especially to attack in the cities, in the villages, everywhere, roads, schools, hospitals,' according to Reuters.
Merz and Zelensky met at the National Academy of Sciences, which was struck by a Russian drone on September 28, as reported by Al Jazeera (Qatar). Merz was accompanied by his economy minister, Katherina Reiche, and executives from several large German companies, including Siemens Energy and Diehl Defence, as reported by Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Business Day (South Africa).
Merz emphasized that Germany would not be intimidated by Russian hybrid attacks, stating, 'I can only repeat it once again from this point: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war,' as reported by Themoscowtimes and Devdiscourse. He also noted, 'If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,' according to Al Jazeera (Qatar).
The visit underscores Germany's commitment to supporting Ukraine and addressing the escalating conflict, despite the ongoing threat of Russian attacks. Both Internazionale (Italy) and Business Day (South Africa) reported that Merz's visit aimed to demonstrate Germany's unwavering support for Ukraine.
What's confirmed
- Merz will announce a package of measures including the release of 1 billion euros ($1.13 billion) in military aid and 350 million euros for repairs in the energy sector, German government officials said.
- “I traveled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks,” Merz said, adding that Russian forces were bombing towns, residential buildings and heating plants.
- “I will tell President Zelensky today: 'You can continue to count on our help,'” Merz said.
- Zelensky said on Wednesday, after speaking to Merz by phone, that Ukraine would soon finalize a deal with Germany for the production of drones, missiles and related software.
- On Thursday, Merz said Germany would not be intimidated by the rising number of hybrid attacks by Russia on European states.
- The sound of air raid sirens and explosions rang out in Ukraine's capital Kyiv on Sunday as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived for a visit to show support for President Volodymyr Zelensky amid escalating Russian attacks.
- Four air raid alerts were heard in Kyiv on Sunday morning, and explosions and air defense systems also sounded across the city.
- Merz is also expected to press the Ukrainian government for progress on reforms requested by EU partners, including in the fight against corruption.
- "I can only repeat it once again from this point: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war," Merz said.
- Zelensky told Reuters on Saturday that his country’s armed forces would double down on their attacks on oil refineries in Russia in response to Moscow’s “new doctrine” of escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure, which he said was aimed at forcing residents of Kyiv and other cities to flee.
What's still developing
- "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership."
- But Mr Zelenskyy, speaking as air raid sirens blared outside the gilded halls of the presidential offices, said he had received no indications from Russia that Mr Putin was interested in peace talks, or discussing a ceasefire on energy infrastructure.
- Mr Zelenskyy said a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive, code-named "Vivaldi", had recaptured about 140 square kilometres of Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and was still ongoing.
- "First of all, oil refiners et cetera: what gives money to them for this war. But we will not respond, of course, just like them, on any civilian objects."