German chancellor pledges arms support during Kyiv visit
German Chancellor Merz visited Kyiv to pledge military support for Ukraine, calling for talks but only when weapons fall silent.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv by train to show support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion and toured the National Academy of Sciences, destroyed in a Russian drone attack last week that killed one woman.
Standing in the ruins, Merz called Russian strikes on civilians "daily war crimes" and urged Putin to end the war. Despite Russian warnings of attacks, Merz rejected any intimidation.
Merz said Germany will send interceptor drones and speed up long-range weapons production. On the day of his visit, Russia launched 135 drones across Ukraine, striking civilian sites in multiple regions.
Why it mattersGermany's public military backing signals sustained Western support at a moment Russia is intensifying attacks and threatening to escalate further.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, though Australia watches Western allied unity on Ukraine as a broader test of collective security commitment.
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