Ukraine: Merz Announces New German Aid as Russian Attacks Hit Kyiv During His Visit
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday as Russian attacks intensified across Ukraine. During the visit, Germany announced more than €1.3 billion in additional support, including military assistance and funding for Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Merz Arrives in Kyiv as Air-Raid Sirens Sound
Friedrich Merz made a surprise visit to Kyiv on October 4, travelling by train with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and a delegation of German defence and energy companies.
The visit took place against the backdrop of intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Air-raid sirens and explosions were reported in Kyiv as the German chancellor arrived.
Merz said Ukraine needed Germany's continued support and warned that Russia's war machine could eventually threaten other European countries if it were not stopped.
The visit was intended to demonstrate Germany's continued political and military support for Kyiv while also expanding direct cooperation between German and Ukrainian defence industries.
€1 Billion in New Military Assistance
Germany announced €1 billion in additional military assistance for Ukraine.
The package includes support for long-range weapons, combat drones and satellite technology. Germany also plans to provide thousands of interceptor drones designed to counter Russian attack drones, including fast-moving jet-powered systems.
The assistance is intended to strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend its cities and infrastructure while also improving its capacity to strike military targets behind the front line.
Germany has become one of Ukraine's most important European military supporters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.
Another €350 Million for Energy Infrastructure
The German package also includes €350 million for repairs and reconstruction in Ukraine's energy sector.
The funding comes as Ukraine prepares for another winter under sustained Russian attacks against power stations, heating facilities and other critical infrastructure.
For Ukrainian authorities, maintaining electricity and heating supplies has become a major part of the country's wartime resilience.
German support is therefore aimed not only at the battlefield but also at helping Ukraine maintain essential services for its civilian population.
Joint Drone Production Expands
One of the most significant elements of the visit was the expansion of German-Ukrainian defence cooperation.
The two countries are working on the production of interceptor drones designed specifically to counter Russian attack drones. Ukrainian forces have increasingly faced fast and difficult-to-intercept systems, creating additional pressure on air-defence networks.
Germany and Ukraine also intend to expand cooperation on long-range weapons production.
The objective is to develop greater Ukrainian production capacity while combining Ukrainian battlefield experience with German industrial and technological capabilities.
Russian Attacks Continue During the Visit
The timing of the visit highlighted the continuing intensity of the war.
Russian attacks targeted parts of Kyiv during Merz's visit, including infrastructure around a bridge over the Dnipro River. Ukrainian officials reported damage and casualties linked to the strikes.
Merz also visited a damaged building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscoring the impact of the attacks on civilian and scientific infrastructure.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for additional air-defence systems and weapons capable of countering Russia's increasingly varied drone and missile arsenal.
A Wider Industrial Partnership
The visit also produced a broader series of agreements between German and Ukrainian companies.
According to officials, the agreements cover defence technologies, weapons production, energy and other areas of economic cooperation. The expansion of joint production reflects a broader European effort to strengthen Ukraine's domestic defence industry.
For Germany, the cooperation also creates opportunities for its own defence companies to develop new technologies in partnership with Ukrainian manufacturers that have gained extensive battlefield experience.
Ukraine Faces Another Difficult Phase
Sunday's developments underline the difficult position Ukraine continues to face.
Russia is maintaining pressure through missile and drone attacks, while Ukraine is seeking stronger air defences and expanding its own ability to strike Russian military and energy targets.
At the same time, diplomatic discussions remain possible. Zelenskyy has indicated that Ukraine is prepared to participate in further negotiations, while insisting that international pressure on Moscow must increase.
Merz's visit therefore carried both a political and practical message: Germany intends to maintain its support for Ukraine while expanding the industrial and technological cooperation that could shape the next phase of the war.
But with Russian attacks continuing even as the German chancellor stood in Kyiv, Sunday's events also offered a stark reminder that the conflict remains far from resolved.