German Chancellor Friedrich Merz slipped into Kyiv on an unannounced trip Saturday, delivering a pointed message of solidarity as Russia’s war grinds on and the Ukrainian capital again came under threat.
Not long after the chancellor’s arrival, a bridge in Kyiv was struck during a Russian attack, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
“Impact on the road surface of the Northern Bridge. Emergency services are heading to the scene,” the mayor wrote on Telegram. Air raid sirens had earlier blared, warning of drones approaching the city.
In a statement, Mr Merz said: “I travelled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks.
“If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us.”
Mr Merz, whose country is among Ukraine’s largest supporters, was accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, according to government sources.
“Today, I will tell President [Volodymyr] Zelensky: ‘You can continue to count on our help,'” Mr Merz said in the statement, which also highlighted cooperation between German and Ukrainian companies.
Die Ukraine steht vor entscheidenden Wochen. Deswegen bin ich heute nach Kyjiw gereist mit der Botschaft: Ihr könnt euch auf uns verlassen. Auch Deutschlands Sicherheit hängt vom Ausgang dieses Krieges ab. Deswegen helfen wir auch aus ureigenem Interesse. https://t.co/g5p3cSJzhb
— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) October 4, 2026
Mr Merz’s visit follows a warning from Moscow issued a day earlier, when Russia urged foreigners and diplomats to leave the Ukrainian capital and said “massive” new airstrikes would hit the city.
The Russian foreign ministry declared in a statement that “responsibility for any potential negative consequences rests entirely with those who ignore this warning”.
Russia made a similar warning in May. Even so, leaders from countries backing Ukraine have continued to travel to Kyiv, undeterred by the Kremlin’s statements.
Kyiv has been pummeled by heavy airstrikes, while Ukrainian officials have repeatedly appealed for more air-defence munitions to help repel waves of Russian drones and missiles.
In recent days, Russia has targeted several bridges across the Dnieper river as well as energy infrastructure. On Friday, Mayor Klitschko said Kyiv was in a “very dramatic situation”.
