Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germany’s center-right Christian Democrats (CDU), arrived in the Ukrainiancapital of Kyiv early on Monday.
The conservative candidate for chancellor in the country’s upcoming snap elections was visiting the country for the second time since the Russian invasion began in 2022.
Merz said he wanted to use the visit to inform himself “of the present condition of the defense of this country” and assure it of Germany’s continued support.
“If our support for Ukraine is consistent, then this war will end more quickly,” Merz told reporters.
The CDU leader is also scheduled to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
More to follow…
es/rm (AFP, dpa)
