Merz pledges €1.3B more for Ukraine on Kyiv visit amid Russian strikes

Why Merz came: Merz arrived by train early Sunday with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a business delegation from firms including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems, CNBC and DW reported. "If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us," Merz said on arrival. Germany has become Ukraine's largest donor, sending more than €43.3 billion since the full-scale invasion began, AP said.

Strikes during the visit: Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said a Russian drone hit the Northern Bridge's roadway on Sunday, wounding two people and damaging a hot-water line, Reuters and AP reported. Merz said the visit shows "we will not be intimidated," including by "a drone attack occurring at the very time of our visit," Reuters reported. Merz and Zelenskyy later visited Ukraine's National Academy of Sciences, damaged in a Russian attack that killed two people on Monday. "These barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop. These are daily war crimes," Merz said there, calling on Vladimir Putin to end "this senseless war" and adding that Germany is ready to talk.

Russia's response: Hours before Merz arrived, Russia's Foreign Ministry warned foreign diplomats and visitors to avoid Kyiv, saying responsibility for any consequences would fall on those who ignored the warning, DW and dpa reported. The ministry said Russian forces were carrying out targeted strikes on military targets in response to what it called Ukrainian actions. Russia's Defense Ministry said Sunday it would intensify strikes on military-industrial sites and related infrastructure after Zelenskyy told Reuters Ukraine would hit more Russian oil refineries, AP reported.

Talks track: Zelenskyy said the United States had proposed a technical-level trilateral meeting with Ukraine and Russia by the end of October, possibly in the United Arab Emirates, and that Kyiv was ready while waiting for Moscow's reply, AP reported.

Primary: Associated Press (Susie Blann, Stefanie Dazio, Elise Morton), Oct 4, 2026 — €1.3B+ package split, 15 agreements, Academy visit, Northern Bridge, U.S. trilateral-talks line. DW with Reuters/dpa/AFP and dpa International confirm arrival-by-train, Russian FM warning text, and Merz quotes. Ukrinform carries Zelenskyy's €1.3B / €8.5B figures from the joint briefing. CNBC adds pre-announcement package outline and business delegation. Caveat: detailed weapons lists were withheld by Merz; battlefield and casualty figures are attributed to Ukrainian officials. Russian positions from the Foreign Ministry warning and Defense Ministry escalation statement as carried by AP and DW. Re-check ~12:00 PM PT Oct 4. Re-check 12:10 PM PT Oct 4: Reuters/AFP added; hero alt now labels file photo. removeIds world-ethiopia-mekelle-airport confirmed as oldest World bullet (Oct 3, 11:10 AM).