German media: Merz's failure would be a catastrophe for Zelensky

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv on October 4 amid intensified Russian attacks on the Ukrainian capital, signing 15 agreements worth over 8.5 billion euros with Ukraine. The visit comes as Merz's governing coalition faces a crisis following poor results in recent state elections. German media outlets widely commented on the visit, noting that the far-right Alternative for Germany, which won in two federal states, opposes support for Ukraine and favors rapprochement with Russia. The Süddeutsche Zeitung called the trip an attempt by Merz to go on the domestic political offensive, warning that a failure of Germany's federal government would be a catastrophe for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Rheinische Post emphasized that abandoning aid to Ukraine would be a mistake with far-reaching consequences for German and European security, while Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung argued that Ukrainian resistance must be supported to the maximum extent possible. Passauer Neue Presse stated that Merz's position on Ukraine deserves support, as Russia's military machine could eventually be directed against Germany if not stopped.