Chancellor Merz urges President Putin to end his "senseless war"
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on President Vladimir Putin on Sunday to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine—an armed conflict the German leader described as a "senseless war"—during his surprise visit to Kyiv, Agerpres reports, citing EFE.
"Mr. Putin, stop this senseless war. We are ready to discuss ending the war, but these barbaric attacks on Ukraine must cease," Merz told the press near the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences building, which had recently been struck by a Russian drone.
On the top floor—the third—of the building, located just meters from the German Embassy in Ukraine, the aftermath of the destruction caused by the Russian drone's explosion and the resulting fire remains visible.
"Today, on a quiet Sunday, air raid sirens are sounding in Kyiv," the German Chancellor said, lamenting the wartime situation.
"War crimes are being committed here every day," the head of the German government added, alluding—among other things—to Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
"Ukraine is preparing for winter. I urge Russia's president and leaders to stop this war," he said.
"We can talk, but first the guns must fall silent", Merz insisted.
Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for a surprise visit; the schedule was not made public for security reasons, according to sources within the Federal Chancellery who confirmed the details to the EFE news agency. Upon arrival, the German leader stated that the visit—during which he is accompanied by Minister of Economy and Energy Katharina Reiche and a delegation of executives from companies in the defense and energy sectors—represents a gesture of support for the country invaded by Russia, Agerpres reports.
