German chancellor urges Putin to halt civilian attacks and seek talks in Kyiv

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz traveled unexpectedly to Kyiv, where he inspected a largely ruined historic structure belonging to the National Academy of Sciences. In his remarks, he urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease the “barbaric attacks” on the civilian population and expressed Germany’s willingness to engage in talks to end the war. Merz condemned the daily war crimes he said are being committed, referencing a recent Russian jet-drone crash in Kyiv that resulted in two fatalities.

The chancellor’s call for a change in Russia’s course comes as Berlin’s coalition government remains locked in internal disputes over reform plans. His statements aim to reinforce international pressure on Moscow while signaling Germany’s openness to diplomatic solutions.