Friedrich Merz, the very unpopular chancellor of Germany, was in Kyiv yesterday, where he announced a further €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in military aid for the regime of acting president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. Speaking at a press conference alongside Zelensky, Merz claimed Moscow was trying to break the morale of the Ukrainian people. He announced €350 million for repairs in the energy sector. He said Germany remained Ukraine’s strongest backer, reported Reuters.

“We do this not only to protect Ukraine’s territorial integrity; we do it deeply in our own interest, for it is a matter of Europe’s security,” Merz said, claiming that Russia was carrying out cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns that struck at Europe’s democratic order. “This demonstrates that we will not be intimidated,” he said.