Merz in Kyiv: support under fire
During a surprise visit to Kyiv on the weekend, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a new aid package of one billion euros for military operations and 350 million for the energy sector for Ukraine. On Sunday, Russia launched another attack on the capital while he was there. Europe's press discusses the significance of the visit and further support for the country.
More than symbolic politics
According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung the importance of this trip cannot be overestimated:
“Merz is seeking to underpin Germany's unwavering support for Ukraine, which he had already reaffirmed last week in a policy speech in honour of Nato. The election results, and especially those in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, have shown that this support is no longer a given among the German public, despite the very real threat posed by Russia. And the visit to Kyiv is more than mere symbolic politics: the chancellor has also pledged new military aid to the tune of one billion euros, money which the country desperately needs as it approaches its fifth winter of war.”
Targeting the West's solidarity
Putin is now openly targeting Kyiv's supporters as well, comments Corriere della Sera:
“Russia's strategy concerning Ukraine is as follows: on the ground, the gradual erosion of what the Russian constitution already regards as its own territory, accelerated by the vague sense that 2027 could be the 'now or never' year, as public finances can hardly hold out much longer. From the air, pressure on cities, bridges and the energy supply. And now a third level, the psychological one: making symbolic gestures of solidarity uncomfortable, and even dangerous. Merz has brought with him one billion in military aid and 350 million for the power grid. The Kremlin is banking on the fact that the group photos will cost the chancellor more at home – where he is in trouble – than they are worth in Kyiv.”
Kremlin aims to trigger wave of refugees
Following the Russian attacks on bridges in Kyiv, journalist Dmitry Kolezev sheds light on the situation in a Telegram post republished by Echo:
“Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview yesterday that Russia has begun to employ a new attack strategy that effectively disregards the rules of warfare. According to him, the objective is to force people to flee Ukrainian cities. Among other things, this is apparently intended to trigger an increase in the flow of refugees into EU countries, where anti-migrant sentiment is on the rise. The Kremlin is likely hoping that this will help to boost the popularity of those European political forces that oppose active support for Ukraine.”