German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Sunday and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his “barbaric attacks” and end what he called a “senseless war.” Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the badly damaged building of Ukraine’s Academy of Sciences, where at least two people died in a drone strike last week, Merz said: “We are ready for ​talks, we are ‌ready to discuss bringing this war to an end, but these barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop. I can only repeat once ​again: Mr Putin, put an end to this senseless war.” Merz arrived in Kyiv by train early on Sunday morning, accompanied by German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation of leading figures from German business, including executives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defense and Quantum Systems. “If Russia is not stopped, it will turn its war machine against us...

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Sunday morning, accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation of leading German economic figures. “If Russia is not stopped, it will turn its war machine against us sooner or later,” Merz said upon his arrival by train. The chancellor is expected to announce a new raft of measures to support Ukraine in its fight against the ongoing Russian invasion, including a further billion euros in German military aid, plus €350 million ($395 million) for energy sector repairs, according to German media reports. Merz is also expected to unveil plans for the co-production of interceptor drones and long-range missiles both in Ukraine and Germany. Focus on ramping up drone production According to German government sources cited by the Reuters and dpa news agencies, arms production is expected to focus on the development and delivery of thousands of drones capable...