Europe · Monday, 5 October 2026
Merz makes surprise Kyiv visit, pledges 1.35 billion euros more in German aid
Chancellor Friedrich Merz travelled to Kyiv by train on Sunday with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and German defence and energy executives, pledging 1 billion euros for joint long-range weapons production and 350 million euros to repair Ukraine's damaged power plants. Merz told Vladimir Putin to 'stop this senseless war' and said Germany was ready for talks, while warning that the 'barbaric attacks' on civilians must stop first.