Merz visits Kyiv as Russia escalates attacks on Ukrainian cities

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday to demonstrate support as Russia escalates attacks on Ukrainian cities, including drone strikes and ballistic missile threats. Merz stated Ukraine faces decisive weeks and that Germany's security depends on the war's outcome, with talks planned with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia's Foreign Ministry announced continued mass retaliatory strikes and urged foreign nationals to leave. A Russian drone struck Kyiv's Northern Bridge on Sunday, following closures of three road bridges over the Dnipro River this week. The invasion, now over four years old, shows no peace settlement prospects, with front-line fighting largely deadlocked.