German Chancellor Friedrich Merz landed in Kyiv on Sunday as air raid sirens and explosions sounded across the city, arriving to announce a €1 billion ($1.13 billion) military aid package and a drone-production deal with Ukraine. The visit comes as Russia steps up strikes on Kyiv's bridges and energy infrastructure.
Air raid sirens and explosions rang out over Kyiv as Merz arrived on Sunday. Four air raid alerts were heard through the morning, and air defence systems also sounded across the city. The chancellor's visit is meant to show support for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as Russian attacks escalate.
Merz to announce aid and drone deal
Merz is set to announce the release of €1 billion ($1.13 billion) in military aid and €350 million for energy-sector repairs, German government officials said. A deal for joint production of various kinds of drones is also due to be finalised during the trip.
According to Reuters: "If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us." Merz said Russian forces were bombing towns, residential buildings, and heating plants. He also told Zelenskiy that Ukraine could continue to count on Germany's help.
One of the Russian strikes hit the Northern Bridge across the Dnipro River, damaging its roadway, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram, adding that the strike also damaged a hot water supply system nearby. 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.
Economic delegation joins the trip
The chancellor 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. Merz is also expected to press Kyiv for progress on reforms requested by EU partners, including the fight against corruption.
Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, after speaking with Merz by phone, that Ukraine would soon finalise a deal with Germany for the production of drones, missiles, and related software. A key focus is the rapid production of anti-jet drones, which Quantum, a German defence-technology company, has successfully tested. Since the summer, Russia has used dozens of high-speed jet attack drones daily to target civilian and military infrastructure.
The deal also covers joint development of weapons with a range of more than 1,000 km (600 miles) that Ukraine can use to strike deep inside Russia. On Thursday, Merz said Germany would not be intimidated by the rising number of hybrid attacks Russia has carried out against European states.
Moscow warns of continued strikes
Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that Moscow would keep systematically hitting targets in Ukraine, calling the strikes retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russia in recent months. It also warned foreign nationals and diplomatic staff against staying in or travelling to Ukraine.
Zelenskiy told Reuters on Saturday that Ukraine's armed forces would double down on attacks against oil refineries in Russia, responding to what he called Moscow's "new doctrine" of escalating strikes on civilian infrastructure aimed at forcing residents of Kyiv and other cities to flee.
Source: Investing.com
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