German chancellor in Kyiv calls on Putin to "stop this senseless war"

What Happened

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv on a day when air-raid warnings sounded several times due to Russian attacks, and the Pivnichnyi (North) Bridge was damaged earlier that morning. Accompanied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Merz visited the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv, which had been damaged in a drone strike. Standing near the damaged academy building, Merz said an attack last Monday struck the academy in central Kyiv, a few hundred metres from the German embassy, and called such attacks 'barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine' and 'daily war crimes.' He directly addressed Vladimir Putin: 'Mr Putin, stop this senseless war!' and said 'We are ready for talks… but only when the weapons fall silent.' According to dpa sources cited by European Pravda, Merz intends to make commitments to Ukraine regarding further financial and military support, including the supply of thousands of interceptor drones and the acceleration of long-range weapons production. Zelenskyy announced 'important agreements' between Ukraine and Germany on strengthening defence.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Merz's visit and his call for a ceasefire-linked resumption of talks signal continued German political and military engagement in Ukraine, including pledged interceptor drones and accelerated long-range weapons production. The visit occurred amid daily Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, highlighting the operational context in which Western support commitments are being made and the diplomatic emphasis on halting attacks as a precondition for negotiations.

Watch For

Watch for the formal details of Merz's announced commitments on interceptor drone supplies and long-range weapons production, as well as the substance of the 'important agreements' Zelenskyy referenced. Also monitor Moscow's response to Merz's appeal for a ceasefire and negotiations, the status of the damaged Pivnichnyi Bridge, and any further Russian drone or missile strikes on Kyiv infrastructure.