Merz visits Kyiv as Russia urges diplomats to leave

KIEV

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Oct. 4 on an unannounced visit, Berlin government sources said, marking high-level European support for Ukraine.

Economy Minister Katherina Reiche joined Merz on the trip, the sources said. Germany ranks among Ukraine's largest financial and military backers in the war with Russia.

The unannounced arrival coincided with renewed statements from Moscow advising foreign diplomatic missions to leave the Ukrainian capital. Russian authorities reiterated calls for foreign personnel to depart, pointing to security risks linked to continuing hostilities across the country.

Ukrainian officials dismissed the Russian advisories as psychological pressure and intimidation tactics intended to disrupt embassy operations and isolate Kyiv diplomatically.

The German delegation's presence in Kyiv directly counters Moscow's evacuation warnings, reinforcing European commitment to maintain active diplomatic and economic engagement with Ukraine during wartime.