Merz in Kyiv: If Russia Isn't Stopped, Its War Machine Will Turn on Us

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made an unannounced one-day visit to Kyiv on Sunday to show support for Ukraine in its war with Russia, warning that if Russia is not stopped, its war machine will eventually turn against Europe. He was accompanied by leaders of German arms companies. Merz told President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can count on German help, with military aid reportedly including interceptor aircraft and long-range weapons worth one billion euros, plus 350 million euros for energy repairs. The visit also aims to finalize agreements on joint production of various interceptor types, rockets, and weapons with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The visit came a day after Russia urged foreign citizens and diplomats to leave Kyiv, warning of new intense air strikes. Zelensky said Saturday that Ukraine will intensify attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure aimed at forcing residents to flee.