Merz Visits Kyiv as Russia Strikes Its Bridges for a Fourth Day
Friedrich Merz made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Sunday, shortly before a Russian drone struck the Northern Bridge, injuring two people — the fourth consecutive day of attacks on the capital’s Dnipro crossings. The German chancellor brought an aid package worth more than €1.3bn and funding for drones to intercept Russia’s jet-powered models. “If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,” he said.
Some 500,000 vehicles use Kyiv’s bridges each day, and traffic has been restricted or suspended on five of the city’s six road bridges. Russia’s defence ministry says it will intensify strikes on Kyiv; its foreign ministry has told foreign diplomats to leave, which the EU ambassador answered: “The EU Delegation is staying.” Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready for US-backed talks with Russia this month, possibly in the UAE, with Washington pushing for technical-level talks by the end of October. Germany has been Ukraine’s largest donor since Mr Merz took office in May 2025.