Friedrich Merz Arrives In Kyiv As Russia Strikes Northern Bridge, Urges Putin To Stop War

Merz arrives as strikes hit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday as Russian attacks intensified across Ukrainian cities, with air raid sirens and explosions sounding during his visit with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Merz urged Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion, saying, "Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war," while Reuters reported that Merz would announce a package including the release of €1 billion in military aid and €350 million for repairs in the energy sector. RKyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a Russian strike hit the Northern Bridge across the Dnipro River, damaging its roadway, and Klitschko said the strike injured two people and damaged a hot water supply system in the area.

The Guardian said the drone strike marked the fourth consecutive day that Russia targeted bridges used by thousands of residents commuting between the city’s two banks, as video footage showed cars driving across the bridge while the drone plunged and exploded. TDW reported that Merz visited the National Academy of Sciences of Kyiv, which had been targeted by drone strikes, and Merz said, "These barbaric attacks against the civilian population of Ukraine must stop" during the visit.

BBC

SourcesReutersDW

Calls for talks, warnings

Merz pressed for dialogue while insisting attacks end, and Reuters quoted him saying, "We are ready for talks, we are ready to discuss bringing this war to an end" during his visit with Zelenskiy.R

Zelenskiy thanked Germany and wrote that the two countries would make "important agreements" during the visit to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses and those of the rest of Europe, while the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the discussion would focus on "strengthening Ukraine, our defense and resilience, and our shared European security."

Cadena 3 Argentina

Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned it would continue carrying out "massive retaliatory attacks" against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, and it urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the country.

The Guardian said Zelenskiy told Merz that people in Kyiv were suffering "terrible nights and days" from relentless attacks, and Merz said Ukraine "needs all our support in the coming weeks" as he arrived.T

Cadena 3 Argentina reported that Merz wrote on X, "Ukraine faces decisive weeks. That is why I traveled to Kiev today with the message: you can count on us," as Russia warned of further strikes.

SourcesReutersCadena 3 Argentina

Aid, drones, and winter

Reuters said the visit included plans for a deal for joint production of various kinds of drones, and it described a focus on rapid production of anti-jet drones expected to help defend against Russia’s high-speed jet attack drones. RIn parallel, Reuters said the deal involves joint development and production of weapons with a range of more than 1,000 km (600 miles) that Ukraine can use to launch attacks deep inside Russia. RInformat.ro said Merz would announce a package of support worth 1.35 billion euros, with one billion for military aid and 350 million for repairs in the energy sector, and it said the chancellor would also call for speeding up reforms and intensifying the fight against corruption.

DW said Merz told Putin that Ukraine is "preparing for winter" and appealed for Russia to stop the war, while Reuters said Russia warned foreign nationals and diplomatic staff against staying in or travelling to Ukraine. RPOLITICO.eu said Merz warned that "in a few weeks, the fifth winter of the war will begin" and described fears of intense ballistic missile attacks, destroyed power plants and schools, and damaged apartment buildings and churches as the conflict enters the colder months.

SourcesReutersPOLITICO.eu