German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Visits Kyiv Amid Intensifying Russian Attacks

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for his second visit to Ukraine since taking office, as Russian forces continued intensifying aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. The visit was intended to reaffirm Germany's support for Ukraine amid continued fighting and growing pressure from Russian missile and drone strikes. Germany has remained one of Kyiv's major sources of financial, military and other assistance since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Merz said Germany would continue supporting Ukraine and warned that allowing Russia's military campaign to continue could eventually pose a broader security concern for Europe. He also stressed the importance of cooperation between German and Ukrainian companies, particularly in developing defence-related technologies. According to German figures cited by Merz, Berlin has provided more than 43.3 billion euros in aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the visit and indicated that the two countries were expected to discuss agreements aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the talks would centre on military support, national resilience and wider European security. The visit comes as Kyiv continues seeking stronger international backing while Russian and Ukrainian forces exchange attacks far beyond the front line.

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Russian authorities, meanwhile, have warned that Moscow intends to continue what its Foreign Ministry described as retaliatory strikes against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. On Sunday, Zelenskyy reported that a Russian drone struck the Northern Bridge across the Dnipro River in Kyiv. The incident followed disruptions to traffic on several bridges in the capital earlier in the week, adding to concerns over attacks affecting key infrastructure.

Elsewhere, Russian aerial attacks continued to cause casualties. Seven people were wounded in an aerial bomb strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, according to local officials. Ukrainian authorities have also reported Russian attacks against a range of civilian and infrastructure targets in recent weeks, while Ukraine has continued conducting strikes against Russian energy facilities and businesses.

The conflict has now continued for more than four years, with no clear indication of an immediate peace settlement. Fighting remains concentrated along a front stretching roughly 1,250 kilometres across northern, eastern and southern Ukraine. At the same time, relations between Germany and Russia have deteriorated further, while Merz faces political challenges at home following recent state election setbacks. Despite those pressures, the German chancellor has reiterated his intention to continue leading his government.

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