German Chancellor Merz arrives in Kyiv despite Russian warning to foreigners
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for an unannounced visit, a day after Russia warned foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital ahead of further strikes.
Merz traveled to Kyiv by special train alongside Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation of 10 executives from Germany's defense and energy sectors, according to German broadcaster n-tv.
German government sources told n-tv that Merz is expected to pledge the delivery of thousands of interceptor drones designed to counter Russia's fast jet-powered attack drones.
Germany also plans to release €1 billion ($1.17 billion) in previously approved funding to accelerate the production of long-range weapons, while another €350 million is expected to go toward repairing and rebuilding Ukrainian power plants.
“If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later be directed against us,” Merz said upon arriving in Kyiv. “Today I will tell President Zelenskyy: You can continue to count on our help.”
Russia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday warned foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel against remaining in Kyiv or traveling to Ukraine, saying Moscow would continue what it called “massive retaliatory strikes.”
Merz said he traveled to Kyiv because Ukraine “needs all our support in the coming weeks,” as the country prepares for its fifth winter of Russia's full-scale war.
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