German Chancellor Makes Surprise Visit to Kyiv Amid Russian Offensive: "We Must Stop Russia to Protect Our Security"

[Financial News] German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made an unexpected visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, as Russia launched a large-scale offensive, pledging substantial additional support and demonstrating unwavering solidarity with the country.
Merz arrived in the capital Kyiv by train early on the morning of the 4th (local time). The visit came one day after Russia warned foreigners and diplomats staying in Kyiv to "leave immediately, as it would continue large-scale retaliatory attacks."
Merz explained the reason for his visit in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter: "The coming weeks will be the most decisive period for Ukraine. If we fail to stop Russia, its war machine will soon turn against us. Germany's security also depends on the outcome of this war."
The unannounced visit was accompanied by 10 German executives from the defense and energy sectors, including Economy Minister Katharina Reiche.
After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Merz held a joint press conference and announced an additional aid package worth €1.3 billion (approximately 2 trillion won). Of that amount, €1 billion (approximately 1.5 trillion won) will go toward military assistance, including long-range strike weapons, interceptor drones and satellite technology. The remaining €350 million (approximately 530 billion won) will be used to repair power plants and the electricity grid ahead of the coming winter. Zelenskyy said the two countries had signed 15 agreements covering security cooperation and joint weapons procurement, welcoming them as "an important signal demonstrating the courage of Germany and all of Europe."
In particular, the two countries agreed to provide funding for joint production to accelerate the manufacturing of interceptor drones designed to counter Russian jet-powered drones, which have recently been wreaking havoc across Ukraine. Zelenskyy renewed his urgent appeal for Western air-defense support, saying, "Russia launched 900 jet-powered drones this week, but we intercepted only half of them."
After the talks, the two leaders toured the site of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv, which was damaged in an airstrike last month. At the scene, Merz condemned the attack, saying, "Such barbaric attacks against civilians must stop," and added to Russian President Vladimir Putin, "I am ready to talk."
Meanwhile, several air-raid alerts sounded in central Kyiv while Merz was there. Tensions remained high as Russian drones struck the northern bridge over the Dnipro River again in the morning, damaging the road surface and injuring two people.
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