German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, announced military aid for Ukraine worth approximately €1 billion and an energy support package. On the day of his arrival, the Russian Federation — the aggressor state — again attacked the Ukrainian capital with drones, Taipei Times reports.
Merz arrived in Kyiv together with a senior government official and representatives of several companies. He stated that the visit was intended to demonstrate that Germany would not be intimidated by the drone attack taking place during the trip.
According to the chancellor, Germany is Ukraine's largest donor and has provided it with more than €43.3 billion in aid since the start of the war, including equipment and weapons. Merz also emphasized that Ukraine can continue to count on Berlin's support.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Germany and stated that during the visit, the countries were to conclude important agreements to strengthen Ukraine's defense and Europe's security. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said that the agenda included strengthening Ukrainian defense, resilience, and common European security.
Merz and Zelenskyy also visited the building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in central Kyiv, which was damaged in a Russian attack on Monday of the previous week. The chancellor called the strikes on civilians daily war crimes and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the war, adding that Germany was ready for talks.
Merz noted that the partnership between Germany and Ukraine is not one-sided: German and Ukrainian companies are jointly developing technologies beneficial to both sides. In his view, such cooperation makes the countries safer and stronger.
Source: UA
