Germany will not be intimidated into abandoning its support for Ukraine, Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared on Sunday. During a visit to Kyiv, which was punctuated by Russian drone attacks, Merz announced an additional €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in military aid for the war-torn nation.

The visit was marked by repeated air-raid sirens and explosions across the Ukrainian capital. Merz, alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, paid respects at a memorial for soldiers lost in the ongoing four-year conflict. They also visited the Academy of Sciences, an institution recently targeted by a drone strike that claimed at least two lives.

In recent weeks, Russia has intensified its drone assaults on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, aiming to disrupt vital infrastructure including telecommunications, power grids, and transportation, as well as military targets.

Addressing reporters with Zelenskyy, Merz highlighted Russia's attempts to undermine Ukrainian morale. He revealed that Germany would provide €350 million specifically for energy sector repairs, reaffirming Germany's position as Ukraine's most steadfast ally.

Deals with German companies worth 6.6 billion euros

Merz emphasized that Germany's commitment extends beyond Ukraine's territorial integrity, stating, "we do it deeply in our own interest, for it is a matter of Europe's security." He pointed to Russia's ongoing cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns as direct threats to Europe's democratic fabric.

"This demonstrates that we will not be intimidated," Merz asserted, countering Russia's claims that accusations of hybrid warfare are unfounded and driven by anti-Russian sentiment.

Accompanying Merz were executives from several German companies who finalized 14 agreements with the Ukrainian government and businesses, collectively valued at approximately €6.6 billion. Key among these deals are agreements with Diehl Defence for IRIS-T air defense missiles, Hensoldt for radar equipment, and Quantum Systems for jet drone interceptors.

President Zelenskyy noted the significance of the visit, stating, "What is important in this visit is that not only Germany is helping Ukraine, but Ukraine is sharing its knowledge, experience, as well as orders. These are jobs for Germany." He specifically praised Quantum's new SPYS jet drone interceptor for its promising performance and indicated that Ukraine and Germany are nearing a comprehensive defense agreement, which is expected to encompass the production of drones, missiles, and associated software.

Zelenskyy vows to respond

Russia's recent escalation involves the deployment of fast, jet-powered attack drones against civilian and military infrastructure daily, posing a significant challenge for Ukraine's air defenses.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported on Telegram that one of the Russian strikes on Sunday damaged the roadway of the Northern Bridge across the Dnipro River, injuring two people and disrupting a local hot water supply system.

Zelenskyy attributed Russia's increased air strikes to battlefield setbacks and vowed Ukrainian retaliation. He suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin's objective is to compel residents to evacuate Ukraine's major cities, warning, "If our bridges collapse, we will manage to get out of this situation, but his people will feel it too ... This is maximum escalation of this war."

Since the previous week, Russia has been targeting Kyiv's bridges to disrupt connectivity between the city's districts and hinder logistical routes between central and eastern Ukraine.

Merz appeals for end to 'senseless war'

In parallel diplomatic efforts, U.S. peace envoy Steve Witkoff has urged Zelenskyy to resume trilateral talks promptly. Zelenskyy confirmed Ukraine's readiness to meet this month, expressing hope for Russian participation, but stressed the need for increased Western pressure on Moscow to hasten the war's conclusion.

Earlier on Sunday, at the damaged Academy of Sciences, Merz directly appealed to President Putin to "put an end to this senseless war." He added, "We are ready for talks, we are ready to discuss bringing this war to an end, but these barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop."

Russia's Foreign Ministry, on Saturday, stated its intention to continue systematic strikes on Ukrainian targets, framing them as retaliatory measures for Ukrainian attacks on Russia. The ministry also cautioned foreign nationals and diplomatic staff against traveling to Ukraine.