Merz calls on Putin to stop ‘barbaric attacks’ in second visit to Kiev

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kiev on Sunday, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease his attacks on Ukraine and engage in negotiations. He emphasized that strikes on civilians must come to an end, stating, "Mr Putin, stop this senseless war! We are ready for talks, we are ready to speak with one another about ending this war. But these barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop."

Merz paid a visit to the National Academy of Sciences in Kiev, a site that was hit by a Russian drone attack last Monday. He was accompanied by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the site of the attack. At the ruins, Merz described Russian attacks on civilian targets as "daily war crimes" and reiterated his plea to Putin. He stated, "We can talk, but only when the weapons fall silent - and the weapons must fall silent."

During his visit, Merz warned that Russian attacks had triggered multiple drone alarms. Even a drone struck Kiev’s Northern Bridge, located about 5 kilometers from where the chancellor was staying. At a joint press conference with Zelensky, Merz firmly stated that Russian warnings and attacks would not deter him from visiting Ukraine. He asserted, "We will not be intimidated. Nor will we be intimidated by a drone attack taking place at the same time as our visit."

Merz acknowledged being aware of three drone alerts during his stay, but he had not been moved to a shelter.