Merz urges Putin to halt civilian attacks during Kyiv visit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during his second visit to Kyiv, called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt attacks on civilians and show willingness to negotiate, stating "barbaric attacks" must stop. He spoke at the ruins of the National Academy of Sciences, hit by a drone strike that killed one woman. Merz's visit was marked by repeated drone alarms, including a strike on a Kyiv bridge, and he described the attacks as "daily war crimes." He pledged further support, including interceptor drones and long-range weapons, with €1 billion in approved funds and €350 million for energy repairs. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised Germany's leadership. The visit occurred amid heightened security, with Russia warning foreigners to leave Kyiv. Merz's approval rating has fallen to 10%, the lowest for a chancellor since 1997. This is the fourth visit by a German chancellor since the 2022 invasion.