Despite the tense security situation, Merz travels to Kiev to reiterate support for Ukraine
Quick Look
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz secretly arrived in Kiev on Sunday morning to promise Ukraine further military and financial support.
- He will be accompanied by Economics Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation.
- Russia had previously warned against traveling to Kyiv and threatened further attacks.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Friedrich Merz has already traveled to Ukraine once since taking office as Chancellor. The security situation is significantly more tense due to increased Russian attacks on Kiev with ballistic missiles and combat drones as well as threatened nuclear strikes. At the same time, criticism of aid to Ukraine is growing in Germany, especially after the AfD's success in state elections.
Despite the tense security situation, Merz wants to set an example in Kiev, and Economics Minister Reiche is accompanying him. Russia had previously issued a clear warning.
Chancellor arrived in Kiev on Sunday morning shortly after 6 a.m.: “Ukraine needs all our support for the coming weeks.” Photo: Leila Al-Serori
Kyiv. At 9:28 p.m. the blue and yellow special train jerked into motion in Przemysl, Poland. The destination of the secret trip was Kyiv, with the German Chancellor on board. Nine hours later, the convoy reached its destination, the main train station in the Ukrainian capital, on Sunday morning.
“Ukraine needs all our support for the coming weeks,” said Friedrich Merz after his arrival. At his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, he will reiterate that Ukraine can continue to count on German help. “If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us.”
It is the second time that Merz has traveled to Ukraine since taking office. But this time the security situation is much more tense. Only a handful of journalists are on the trip, including the Handelsblatt.
Russia recently intensified attacks on Kyiv with ballistic missiles and combat drones. Just a few days ago, Moscow indirectly threatened a nuclear strike. The background was an extensive military exercise by the alliance near the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.
On Saturday, Moscow upped the ante again: the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it would clearly warn against traveling to the Ukrainian capital as a foreigner or diplomat. Further “massive attacks” are planned.
Defense drones from Germany
The German delegation says they will not be intimidated by this. The visit is intended to be seen as a sign of continued support for Ukraine.
After the AfD's successes in the state elections and the increasingly shaky situation of the coalition, there is also growing concern in Ukraine that Germany could become the largest supporter. In a key foreign policy speech in Münster on Thursday, the Chancellor warned urgently of a growing threat from Russia and promised further help to Ukraine. The journey should now turn words into action.
According to government circles, Germany wants to support Ukraine with anti-jet drones produced by the German arms company Quantum. These could close the air defense gap against the Russians' new jet-powered drones, which are overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses.
350 million euros are also to be invested in the reconstruction of the energy infrastructure in order to secure the energy supply in winter. Several declarations of intent for deeper cooperation in the economy and defense industry are also to be signed.
The Chancellor is therefore also accompanied by Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche (CDU) and a business delegation, including Christian Bruch, President of Siemens Energy, Sven Kruck from Quantum, and Gundbert Scherf, Managing Director of the defense company Helsing.
“If Europe falters, then Ukraine also falters”
During his speech in Münster on Thursday, Merz warned of the “worst winter of war so far” and promised further help to Ukraine. "If we falter in Germany, then Europe falters. If Europe falters, then Ukraine falters too," said Merz.
Related topics
UkraineFriedrich MerzGermanyEuropeAfDKatherina Reiche
In view of the AfD's successes in the state elections and the growing criticism of aid to Ukraine, the Chancellor emphasized that Germany has the responsibility to support Ukraine militarily against the Russian attack. Otherwise there would be a risk of “mass migration to the West and the destabilization of the Ukrainian state”.
Defending Ukraine's freedom is in Germany's interest, said Merz. “We do it above all else to protect the freedom and security of the people in our country.”
More: How an entire power plant is brought from Germany to Ukraine
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Germany will supply Quantum anti-jet drones to Ukraine.
Likely · Within weeks
Declarations of intent for deeper cooperation in the economy and the defense industry between Germany and Ukraine are signed.
Likely · Within days
350 million euros will be allocated to rebuild Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- When exactly should the anti-jet drones be delivered?
- How will the commitment of 350 million euros for energy development be implemented in concrete terms?
- Which specific declarations of intent in business and the defense industry should be signed?
- How does the Russian leadership officially react to Merz's visit to Kiev?
