German Chancellor Merz visits Kyiv to reaffirm support for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday to reaffirm Berlin's support for Ukraine amid intensified Russian attacks on the capital. He warned that if Russia is not stopped, its war machine will eventually turn against Europe. Merz is accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation of energy and defense company executives. He will announce a package including 1 billion euros in military aid and 350 million euros for energy repairs, with a drone production agreement also expected. Four air raid alerts sounded in Kyiv during his arrival, with explosions and air defense systems active. A Russian strike damaged the Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River, and two of the city's eight bridges have recently been targeted by hard-to-intercept drones.