German Chancellor Merz arrives in Kyiv with defence and business leaders as Russian attacks intensify

4 October 2026

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv by train on Sunday morning, 4 October, with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation of leading German economic figures.
He said 'Ukraine will need all our support in the coming weeks' as winter approaches and Russian attacks intensify.
'A fifth winter of war is about to begin,' he said, and added that he would tell President Zelenskyy: 'You can count on our help.'
He also said: 'If Russia is not stopped, it will turn its war machine against us sooner or later.'
In recent days Russia has attacked several bridges across the Dnipro river in Kyiv, as well as energy infrastructure.
It is the fourth visit to Ukraine by a German chancellor since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022.