Friedrich Merz begins unannounced Kyiv visit as Russia continues strikes on Ukraine’s capital – Europe live
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has arrived in Kyiv for an unannounced visit to reaffirm Germany's support for Ukraine. The visit occurred amid ongoing Russian missile strikes on the capital's infrastructure.
Why it matters
This visit highlights the continued diplomatic and military commitment of key European powers to Ukraine during a critical phase of the conflict.
Good morning and welcome to our Europe live blog, I’m Frances Mao. We begin in Kyiv where one of Ukraine’s strongest European backers, the German chancellor Friedrich Merz , has arrived this morning in an unannounced visit. Soon after his arrival, the Russians struck the city’s North Bridge, just a 20-minutes drive from the central railway station where Merz had pulled into.
Also covering this story
9 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Finland's Foreign Minister condemned the Russian strikes on Kyiv and called for an end to the war
Russia 'tearing Kyiv apart', mayor says, as strikes paralyse traffic
Russian aerial strikes snarl traffic on three Kyiv bridges in a new disruption tactic
Intensified Russian strikes are tearing Kyiv apart, warns mayor
Russia bombs Kyiv bridge in new tactic to carve city in two
Indian-Run Pharma Plant In Ukraine Destroyed In Russian Drone Attacks, 1 Killed
Russia strikes another major bridge across Kyiv's Dnipro river
'Mortal danger': Russia warns diplomats to leave Kyiv as strikes kill 6 in Ukraine
Intensified Russian strikes are tearing Kyiv apart, Klitschko warns
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in