Germany’s Merz visits Kyiv as Russia steps up attacks on Ukrainian cities

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv Sunday in a show of support as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukrainian cities.

The aerial war has intensified, with Moscow menacing cities across Ukraine with hard-to-intercept ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones, while Kyiv has been striking Russia’s oil industry and businesses

“Ukraine is facing decisive weeks. That is why I traveled to Kyiv today with the message: You can rely on us,” Merz wrote on X, noting that Germany’s own security “also depends on the outcome of this war.”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Merz would hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Writing on X, Sybiha said the agenda would focus on “strengthening Ukraine, our defense and resilience, and our shared European security.”

Russia’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday it would continue to carry out “mass retaliatory strikes” on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, urging foreign nationals and diplomats to leave the country. It previously issued a similar warning in May.

Russia invaded its neighbor more than 4 1/2 years ago, and there are no concrete signs that a peace settlement might be possible. Fighting along the roughly 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) front line snaking through northern, eastern and southern Ukraine has been virtually deadlocked in recent months.