Merz Makes Surprise Kyiv Visit Despite Moscow Threats, Pledges €1.35B Aid

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv by train on Sunday morning for an unannounced visit, despite Russian warnings of strikes and calls from Moscow for diplomats and foreigners to leave the Ukrainian capital, Romanian outlet HotNews and Polish network Polsat News reported.

Merz, accompanied by executives from German defense companies, is scheduled to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding military assistance and cooperation on drones, alongside an aid package valued at 1.35 billion euros. According to Hungarian news website HVG, the discussions will also focus on supporting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Addressing the war, Merz warned that if Russia is not stopped, its war machine will eventually turn against Western nations as well. Further details regarding the outcomes of the meetings have not yet been released.