Merz arrives in Kyiv for unannounced visit to Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for an unannounced visit, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Merz is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss bilateral ties and European and international issues. Sybiha said the agenda would focus on strengthening Ukraine’s defence and resilience, as well as shared European security.

Germany and Ukraine to deepen partnership

Sybiha said the two countries had built a strong strategic partnership and were determined to deepen it further. Referring to German Unity Day, which marks the country’s 1990 reunification, he said Germany had celebrated the unity that changed Europe the previous day.

“Today, Ukrainians are defending the freedom, security and unity of Europe, and Germany stands firmly by our side,” Sybiha wrote on “X”.

Merz says Ukraine faces decisive weeks

Merz said he had travelled to Kyiv with the message that Ukraine could rely on Germany. In a post on “X”, he said Ukraine was facing “decisive weeks”.

“Germany’s security also depends on the outcome of this war. That is why we are helping out of our own self-interest as well,” Merz wrote, referring to Russia’s war against Ukraine, now in the middle of its fifth year.