FOCUS – Merz arrives in Kyiv on an unannounced visit

KYIV, October 4 /ATSH-ANSA/ – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv today on an unannounced visit, government sources in Berlin told AFP.

Merz, whose Germany is among Ukraine’s main supporters in the war with Russia, is accompanied during the visit by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche.

“I came to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks,” Merz said in a statement released after arriving in the Ukrainian capital.

The visit aims to express Germany’s support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia. “If Russia does not stop, its war machine will sooner or later be turned against us,” the German chancellor said.

Merz said that during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky he would convey the message that Ukraine can continue to count on German help.

“I will tell President Volodymyr Zelensky today: ‘You can continue to rely on our help’,” he declared.

The German chancellor also stressed the importance of cooperation between German and Ukrainian companies, particularly in the framework of support for Ukraine.