Merz Announces New Defense and Energy Aid for Ukraine: We Will Not Succumb to Intimidation

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday that Berlin will not succumb to what he described as "intimidation" to abandon its support for Ukraine, during his announcement of an additional military aid package worth one billion euros ($1.1 billion) during a visit to Kyiv coinciding with Russian drone attacks.

Merz added during a joint press conference with Zelensky that Moscow is trying to undermine the morale of the Ukrainian people, and announced the allocation of 350 million euros for energy sector reforms, emphasizing that Germany remains Ukraine's strongest supporter.

Air raid sirens sounded and repeated explosions occurred across the Ukrainian capital while Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited a memorial for soldiers who fell during the Russian-Ukrainian war, and they also visited the Academy of Sciences where a drone attack killed at least two people last week.

For its part, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that its forces bombed the northern bridge crossing the Dnipro River in Kyiv, targeting a route used for transporting troops and military shipments.

The ministry added that the forces also targeted two ships designated for transporting dry cargo carrying military equipment heading to the port of Odessa in the northwest Black Sea.

Mirts said: "We are not doing this just to protect the territorial integrity of Ukraine, but because it serves our interests directly, as it concerns the security of Europe," pointing out that Russia is launching cyber attacks and disinformation campaigns targeting the democratic system on the continent. He explained: "This proves that we will not succumb to intimidation."

In contrast, German officials said that executives from companies accompanying Mirts on his visit signed 14 agreements with the Ukrainian government and companies worth nearly 6.6 billion euros.

German Chancellor Friedrich Mirts arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, accompanied by executives from German defense companies, in a gesture of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky mentioned: "The important thing about this visit is not just Germany's assistance to Ukraine, but that Kyiv shares its knowledge and experiences... These are job opportunities for Germany."

Zelensky praised a new system for intercepting jet drones called (SPYS) developed by Quantum, noting that it has shown promising results.

He pointed out that Ukraine and Germany are close to concluding a comprehensive defense deal, which he previously stated would include the production of drones, missiles, and related software.

For his part, Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian president's special representative for investment and economic cooperation with foreign countries and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, stated that Merz wants the Germans to support Ukraine more.

Dmitriev wrote on the platform "X": "Merz, the warmonger, wants the Germans to stop being lazy, work harder for Ukraine, and share their social benefits with it, all with the aim of fueling the war, not seeking peace."

Russia sees that supplying weapons to Ukraine hinders settlement and directly involves NATO countries in the conflict, and is considered "playing with fire."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov indicated that any shipments of weapons heading to Ukraine would be a "legitimate target" for Russia.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russia will intensify its attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine, in response to an interview conducted by the Ukrainian president in which he pledged to increase attacks on Russian oil refineries.

The ministry added that Russian forces will escalate their attacks on military facilities and defense industry sites, as well as related infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine.

Zelensky stated in an interview with Reuters published on Saturday that Ukraine will intensify its attacks on Russian oil refineries, in response to what he described as a new policy adopted by Moscow, which involves airstrikes aimed at forcing residents to leave Kyiv and other cities. However, he confirmed that Ukraine will not target civilians.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on the Telegram platform that one of the Russian strikes hit the northern bridge over the Dnipro River, causing damage to the road.

Klitschko added that the strike resulted in two injuries and also caused damage to a hot water supply system in the area.

Zelensky indicated that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff contacted him via text messages urging him to return to the trilateral talks as soon as possible.

He pointed out that Ukraine is ready to hold meetings this month, expressing hope for Russia's participation, but emphasized the need for Western allies to exert more pressure on Moscow to end the war.

During a visit to the Academy of Sciences in Ukraine, Mertsch called on Putin to "put an end to this senseless war."

The German chancellor said: "We are ready for talks and also ready to discuss ending this war, but these brutal attacks on civilians in Ukraine must stop."

Earlier on Saturday, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement that Moscow would continue to strike targets in Ukraine, describing the strikes as a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russia in recent months. It warned foreigners and diplomatic mission staff against staying in or traveling to Ukraine.