Merz visits Kyiv amid escalation of Russian strikes

Ukraine and Germany signed a $1.5 billion arms deal to help counter the escalating Russian drone attacks, as a solidarity visit by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz coincided with new strikes and air-raid sirens in Kyiv. The agreement includes weapons for combat drones and support for Ukraine’s severely damaged energy sector, which Russia has targeted to cut off heating and electricity during the harsh winter months, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who posted about it on the “X” platform.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv to reaffirm European support for Ukraine, even as Russia intensified its strikes on the capital. The city was hit again by a drone attack on a bridge, and sirens sounded repeatedly, including while Zelenskyy escorted Chancellor Merz to inspect damage at the National Academy of Sciences, which had been struck by a Russian combat drone, killing two people.

“We can see here the utter absurdity of this war,” Merz said, adding, “These barbaric attacks on the Ukrainian civilian population must stop.” An explosion heard across the city damaged the roadway on the Northern Bridge, one of several bridges linking eastern and western Kyiv over the Dnipro River, which has been hit repeatedly over the past four days.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said that Kyiv, which has largely remained spared from the devastation that has plagued areas near the front lines over nearly five years of conflict, must now be on high alert due to the escalating attacks.

Continuous round-the-clock strikes have hit residential areas, fuel stations, schools, and railway and communications infrastructure. Near-constant air-raid sirens have disrupted daily life and kept residents on edge.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy reported that the United States is seeking to mediate a new round of talks between Ukraine and Russia aimed at ending the war, which has now lasted four and a half years, with the talks expected to take place by the end of October.