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German Chancellor Merz in Kyiv to Finalize Drone Deal and Announce Aid
Confirmed
In Short: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv to finalize a drone deal and announce military and financial aid for Ukraine amid escalating Russian attacks.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, accompanied by CEOs from German defense companies, in a show of support for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, according to Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and Internazionale (Italy).
Merz's visit is expected to finalize a deal for joint production of various kinds of drones, as reported by Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and Internazionale (Italy). The deal also involves the joint development and production of weapons with a range of more than 1,000 km (600 miles) that Ukraine can use to launch attacks deep inside Russia, according to Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and Internazionale (Italy).
Merz will announce a package of measures that includes the release of €1 billion in military aid and €350 million for repairs in the energy sector, German government officials said, as reported by Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Internazionale (Italy), The Statesman, and vijesti.me. Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, after speaking to Merz by phone, that Ukraine would soon finalize the deal with Germany for the production of drones, missiles, and related software, according to Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and Internazionale (Italy).
During his visit, Merz emphasized that Germany would not be intimidated by the rising number of hybrid attacks by Russia on European states, as quoted by Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) and Internazionale (Italy). Zelenskiy told Reuters on Saturday that his country's armed forces would double down on their attacks on oil refineries in Russia in response to Moscow's 'new doctrine' of escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure, which he said was aimed at forcing residents of Kyiv and other cities to flee, as reported by Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Internazionale (Italy), and WSAU.
The German chancellor is accompanied by Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche and an economic delegation including executives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, Quantum Systems, and other firms, according to Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Internazionale (Italy), and WSAU. A key focus of the visit is expected to be the rapid production of anti-jet drones, which Quantum, a German defense-technology company, has successfully tested, as reported by Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Internazionale (Italy), and WSAU.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed Merz to Kyiv on Sunday morning and said the chancellor would hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on bilateral relations, European affairs, and international issues, as quoted by Kyivindependent (Ukraine). Sybiha wrote on X that a very substantive agenda lies ahead today, focused on strengthening Ukraine, its defense and resilience, and shared European security, as reported by Kyivindependent (Ukraine).
According to German government sources cited by dpa, Merz is expected to make new commitments on financial and military assistance, including the delivery of thousands of interceptor drones and support for faster production of long-range weapons for Ukraine, as reported by Kyivindependent (Ukraine). Merz said in late September that Germany was working on ways to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses, which remain one of Kyiv's most urgent military needs, as quoted by Kyivindependent (Ukraine).
Moldovan President Maia Sandu said on Oct. 3 that Moscow is putting lives at risk across Europe and must be stopped, as quoted by Kyivindependent (Ukraine). Polina Moroziuk, a junior reporter at the Kyiv Independent, reported that Merz was accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and 10 executives from Germany's defense and energy sectors, as reported by Kyivindependent (Ukraine).
What's confirmed
- Merz will announce a package of measures that includes the release €1 billion in military aid and €350 million for repairs in the energy sector, German government officials said.
- “I travelled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks,” Merz said, saying that Russian forces were bombing towns, residential buildings and heating plants.
- “I will tell President Zelenskiy today: ‘You can continue to count on our help,’” Merz added.
- Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, after speaking to Merz by phone, that Ukraine would soon finalise the deal with Germany for the production of drones, missiles and related software.
- The deal also involves the joint development and production of weapons with a range of more than 1,000 km (600 miles) that Ukraine can use to launch attacks deep inside Russia.
- On Thursday, Merz said Germany would not be intimidated by the rising number of hybrid attacks by Russia on European states.
- Zelenskiy told Reuters on Saturday his country’s armed forces would double down on their attacks on oil refineries in Russia in response to Moscow’s “new doctrine” of escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure, which he said was aimed at forcing residents of Kyiv and other cities to flee.
- KYIV: Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, accompanied by CEOs from German defence companies, in a show of support for President Volodymyr Zelenskiy amid escalating Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities.
- The visit is also expected to finalize a deal for joint production of various kinds of drones.
- The German chancellor is accompanied by Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche and an economic delegation including executives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, Quantum Systems and other firms.
- Merz is also expected to press the Ukrainian government for progress on reforms requested by EU partners, including in the fight against corruption.
- A key focus is expected to be the rapid production of anti-jet drones, which Quantum, a German defence-technology company, has successfully tested.
What's still developing
- The Trump administration’s peace negotiations with the Kremlin have come to include discussions of a multi-billion dollar deal involving assets owned by Russian oil company Lukoil, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Oct. 3.
- Zelensky said that Ukrainian intelligence obtained documents revealing that Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a "new doctrine" allowing Russian forces to launch broader strikes against Ukrainian civilian targets this upcoming winter.
- Help rescue animals from the front line — shop our Companion Collection 🐾 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Oct.