GERMAN CHANCELLOR ARRIVES IN KYIV AMID EXPLOSIONS AS BERLIN UNVEILS NEW €1 BILLION MILITARY AID
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday as air raid sirens and explosions were heard across the Ukrainian capital during another period of intensified Russian attacks. Merz met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and announced a new German support package that includes approximately €1 billion in military assistance and €350 million for repairs to Ukraine’s heavily damaged energy infrastructure. The visit also includes plans to deepen joint German Ukrainian drone production, particularly interceptor drones designed to counter Russian aerial attacks. The trip comes as both Russia and Ukraine signal further escalation, with Moscow saying it will intensify strikes on Ukrainian military and defense related infrastructure while Kyiv says it will increase attacks on Russian oil refineries.