Surprise visit: German Chancellor went to Kyiv

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv on October 4. During the visit, air raid sirens sounded in the Ukrainian capital and explosions were heard. Reuters reported this.

 

Merz met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The German Chancellor called on Russia to stop the attacks and stated that support for Ukraine will continue.

 

According to the German government, during the visit, 1 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine and 350 million euros for the restoration of energy infrastructure will be announced. Additionally, an agreement on the joint production of various types of drones is planned to be finalized.

 

Merz and Zelenskyy also visited the building of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, which was damaged as a result of Russia's drone attack last week. At least two people were killed in the attack.

 

“Mr. Putin, put an end to this senseless war. We are ready for negotiations, but attacks against Ukrainian civilians must stop,” Merz said.

 

It is noted that on Sunday morning, air raid alerts were declared four times in Kyiv. Explosions and the sounds of air defense systems were heard in various parts of the city.

 

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, one of the Russian attacks damaged the Pivnichnyi Bridge over the Dnipro River. Two people were injured, and the hot water supply system in the area was also damaged.

 

Along with Merz, a delegation consisting of German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and heads of companies such as Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, and Quantum Systems also traveled to Kyiv.

 

During the visit, reforms demanded by the European Union from the Ukrainian government, including accelerating anti-corruption efforts, are also expected to be discussed.

 

Zelenskyy had previously stated that an agreement with Germany on the production of drones, missiles, and related software would be finalized soon. The parties are also planning to jointly develop and produce weapons with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers.

 

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, stated that strikes on targets in Ukraine will continue. Moscow explained this as a response to Ukrainian attacks organized against Russia.

 

In an interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will intensify attacks on oil refineries in Russia. He explained this as a response to Moscow intensifying attacks against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure.