German defense chief pledges continued military support to Ukraine during Kyiv visit

"We will continue to do everything to support Ukraine so that it can defend itself and reach a situation where Russia would be ready for serious negotiations," he told reporters before his official meetings in Kyiv.

Pistorius condemned the latest Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and Odesa, and argued that they clearly showed Moscow's lack of interest in diplomatic negotiations to end the war.

"There is no interest in a peaceful solution at present. Instead, attacks continue with undiminished harshness, increasingly targeting civilian areas in Ukraine," he said, adding that this should both concern Western allies and strengthen their resolve in supporting Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Ukraine reported three deaths and 13 injuries after an overnight Russian drone attack on the southwestern city of Odesa and the capital Kyiv.

Ukrainian authorities called it one of the largest airstrikes, with their air defenses intercepting 213 of the 315 Russian drones. In a separate attack the next day on Kharkiv, at least three people died and 60 others were injured.