Merz: Europe must pick its voice as Russia escalates attacks on Kyiv
Merz: Europe must pick its voice as Russia escalates attacks on Kyiv
As Kyiv endures a fresh wave of drone and missile strikes, Merz argues Europe must choose its voice while civilians pay the price.
Kyiv endured another day of heavy bombardment as Russia pressed a wave of drone and missile attacks, signaling that Moscow is banking on escalation rather than negotiation. Friedrich Merz, described in the briefing as the German chancellor, said Europe must decide who speaks for them, insisting that no one else will.
Emergency services reported at least 16 people killed in the capital, including two children, with Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko declaring Friday a day of mourning. Across Ukraine, more than 1,500 rescue workers were deployed to respond to the damage, including nearly 600 in Kyiv, as authorities described widespread destruction.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Russia had launched 1,567 drones since the start of Wednesday, and officials warned that civilian infrastructure had taken a heavy hit—180 facilities damaged, including more than 50 residential buildings.
In a defiant stance amid the onslaught, President Putin suggested the war could be nearing an end, a claim Zelenskyy dismissed as incongruent with the ongoing strikes. Kyiv and its partners reiterated their willingness to pursue negotiations for a just peace, but warned that the current attacks betray any sense of progress toward a settlement.
The Ukrainian government also noted that a UN vehicle came under fire during a humanitarian mission in Kherson, underscoring the risks faced by aid workers. In Kharkiv, officials reported 28 people wounded as civilian infrastructure continued to be targeted.
The day underscored the peril civilians face and the political stakes for Europe, as leaders weigh how to respond to Moscow’s renewed intensity while keeping doors to potential negotiations open.
