Regina Laska wrote that the Russian Foreign Ministry warned against a stay in Kyiv on Saturday and announced further massive attacks. Just a few hours later, the train of Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived unexpectedly at the main train station in Kyiv, accompanied by Minister of Economy Katherina Reiche and representatives from the defense and energy industries. Laska called Merz's trip a bold and important sign in light of the situation. Russia has been attacking the Dnipro bridges connecting East and West Kyiv for days, wrote Laska. According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian intelligence service has seen documents indicating that Vladimir Putin has issued a new doctrine foreseeing attacks on roads, logistics, schools, and hospitals to drive people out of Kyiv and other cities. The documents are not public, and Moscow has denied the allegations, she added. Laska wrote that people might flee from cities that are becoming increasingly uninhabitable in winter to Poland, the Czech Republic, or Germany. The provision for Ukrainian refugees has cost Germany around 32.4 billion euros since the start of the war, she cited an overview from the Ministry of Finance quoted by Spiegel. She criticized that these costs are being used in Germany as an argument against supporting Ukraine, including against arms deliveries. Merz wrote from Kyiv that Germany is helping out of self-interest because its own security depends on the outcome of the war, Laska stated. He announced one billion euros in military aid, 350 million euros for the energy system, thousands of interception drones, and closer German-Ukrainian defense cooperation. Officially, Taurus cruise missiles are still missing, she wrote. In October 2024, Merz said Germany must deliver Taurus to hit Russian supply routes if Putin does not end the bombardment of the Ukrainian civilian population within 24 hours. Although Moscow has since openly announced further massive attacks, Taurus still has not arrived, wrote Laska. #Ukraine #Russland #Politik (translated)
