Chancellor Merz in Kyiv: Visit despite Russian threats and new aid package

The Russians threatened shortly before the Chancellor boarded the special train with his delegation in Poland. The Russian Foreign Ministry posted on social media that it was warning foreign nationals and diplomats not to travel to Ukraine. The responsibility for possible consequences lies entirely with those who ignored these warnings. It can be assumed that the Russians have long known what the Chancellor's goal is. The procedures are as well-rehearsed as the routes of foreign delegations to the capital of the attacked country are known. Merz ignored the warning and arrived in Kyiv on Sunday morning. It is his second visit to the Ukrainian capital as Chancellor. Despite the threats. That alone should be a sign.

When the Chancellor arrived at an impact site in the center this morning together with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, sirens were wailing nearby. The Academy of Sciences building was hit just last Monday, killing two civilians. There are still destroyed cars in front of the house and there is a pile of rubble in the backyard. Probably also to make the extent of the destruction clear to visitors. Wreckage and debris are usually removed within hours, making impact sites difficult to find even on the day of the attack.

The Chancellor uses the backdrop to make a direct appeal to the Russian ruler. “Mr Putin, stop this senseless war!” says Merz. They are ready for talks, but only when the weapons are silent. “And the weapons must be silent,” adds Merz.

Russia is relying on escalation with jet drones. A ceasefire seems a long way off. Russia is escalating and intensifying its air strikes. Most recently, high-ranking foreign visitors brought at least a brief interruption in the attacks on the capital. For example, during the visit of American emissaries Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the beginning of September, but also when numerous European politicians came to Kiev for Ukrainian Independence Day.

This rule doesn't seem to apply to Merz. After the Chancellor's arrival, a drone hit the Kiev Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River. Merz said in Kiev that he felt closely and reliably supported and therefore not in immediate danger. He emphasized several times that he would not be intimidated by the threats.

Kyiv is currently the focus of Russian air strikes. Russia is relentlessly attacking the capital with new gland-powered drones. According to Zelensky, Russia used around 900 such drones this week alone. In August, more civilians died in the Kiev region than in any other region. Attacks on warehouses, sorting centers and shopping centers damage the economy and harm the population. By attacking bridges, Russia apparently wants to bring about a traffic collapse in the capital.

Ukraine has major problems with air defense. Anti-aircraft ammunition that is effective against ballistic missiles is in short supply, and drones are also getting through more and more often. While 90 percent of older propeller-driven drone models were intercepted, Ukrainian air defense can currently only take around 60 percent of the drones out of the sky.

In this context, Merz announced German support in Kyiv. A new aid package worth one billion euros includes standoff weapons, combat drones and satellite technology. Berlin is also providing funds for the joint production of interceptor drones that can take drones powered by glands out of the sky. According to delegation circles, 20,000 of these are to be produced from now on in order to quickly strengthen Ukraine's air defense.

However, until the visit to Ukraine, Berlin had not succeeded in organizing additional Patriot missiles from its partners around the world for the coming winter months. From February onwards, Germany hopes to be able to produce its own rockets. At a business conference on Sunday afternoon, 16 declarations of intent totaling a total of over 6.5 billion euros were signed. It's about reconstruction, energy - and above all armaments projects.

The federal government has done a lot in the past few weeks to not only defend its course in the Ukraine war, but also to reinforce it: towards the Russian aggressor, towards Ukraine, towards its partners and, last but not least, towards the criticism that is always clearly audible in Germany itself, not just from the AfD. Especially after the state elections in the east. In Kyiv, Merz was also asked about the dwindling support among the population. “I take this very seriously, even if I don’t agree with it,” replies the Chancellor. Merz says that it must be made clear to citizens that supporting Kiev is in the national interest and that ending the commitment will not reduce the direct attacks on Germany, but increase them.

The federal government is highlighting to the audience at home what Kiev's support brings to Germany: not only in terms of security policy, but also economically. It is also a sign that Merz is accompanied by his Economics and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche and by a large delegation from the energy and defense industries. After arriving in Kiev, Merz said: “Our partnership is a two-way street.” German and Ukrainian companies jointly developed technologies from which both countries benefited. “This makes us safer and stronger.”

He does not say that at least some of the aid provided will end up back at German companies. But you can probably understand it that way. On Sunday, after speaking to the Ukrainian president, he emphasized to the press that an agreement had been reached on orders from German industry.

The Chancellor's foreign policy advisor, Günter Sautter, visited Kiev twice before his visit on Sunday. At the beginning of September, among other things, to be briefed with the security advisors from London and Paris by the American special envoys Witkoff and Kushner about their visit to Moscow and to compare positions. On the return trip from the second trip, Sautter experienced what it means when the Russians increasingly target Ukraine's rail infrastructure.

In New York, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the security advisors from Berlin, Paris and London met again with the American and Ukrainian sides to coordinate. In the Chancellery it is assumed that you can get a place at the negotiating table as E3 for Europe; it is the format of the Berlin election. However, it is not yet clear when negotiations could begin. Another meeting in New York made it clear that the Russians are, at least publicly, unwilling to move in this direction: for the first time in more than four years, a German met with the Russian Foreign Minister.

The Chancellor wisely preceded his visit with his second key foreign policy speech on Thursday. While the Munich Security Conference in February was about the new realities in the transatlantic relationship, on Thursday in Münster he provided explanations of his Ukraine course during the speech for the Westphalian Peace Prize: Germany will not allow itself to be divided, "not by hybrid attacks, not by incitement on social media controlled by Moscow bots and not by the slogans of the AfD and its Russian backers."

In the conversation with Zelensky, the Chancellor was asked about stability in Germany and how stable German support is, according to delegation circles. Merz assures stability behind closed doors. He also conveyed a clear message in the subsequent press conference. “You can rely on us, we will persevere, and I personally will persevere too.”