Merz visits Kyiv as Russia escalates attacks on Ukrainian cities

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday to show solidarity as Russia intensified aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities, including ballistic missiles and drones. He reaffirmed Germany's support, its largest donor role, and met with President Zelenskyy. Merz and Zelenskyy visited a damaged National Academy of Sciences building, where Merz condemned attacks as war crimes and called on Putin to end the war. Russia's Foreign Ministry vowed continued retaliatory strikes, while German-Russian relations have soured further over recent incidents. Russian attacks continued Sunday, including a drone strike on Kyiv's Northern Bridge, wounding two people, and a fatal bombing in Sumy. Russia said it would intensify strikes in response to Ukraine's planned escalation against Russian oil refineries, with the front line largely deadlocked.