German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, 4 October, with a promise of significant additional military support for Ukraine. Germany is set to provide €1 billion for defensive drones and long-range weapons, while a further €350 million will be allocated for the restoration of damaged energy infrastructure.
Merz also stated that Berlin will continue to support Ukraine throughout the coming winter.
Germany plans to supply thousands of defensive drones
The proposed aid package includes thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles, primarily intended to defend against Russian combat drones.
Germany also aims to accelerate the production of long-range weapons.
These weapons are designed to enable Ukraine to strike Russian supply and logistics targets further behind the front lines.
According to published information, the €1 billion will come from funding already approved in the budget.
Aktualizovane.sk previously reported that Germany is also considering enhanced assistance to Ukraine in obtaining information on military targets within Russian territory.
Additional €350 million for energy infrastructure
German support is not limited to weapons.
Berlin plans to allocate an extra €350 million to repair and restore destroyed power plants and energy infrastructure.
Ukraine is preparing for another wartime winter, during which its energy network could once again become a main target of Russian attacks.
Upon his arrival, Merz stated that Ukraine will need substantial support from its partners in the coming weeks.
Strong economic delegation joins visit to Kyiv
The German Chancellor is accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and ten representatives from the defense and energy sectors.
The visit is therefore not just a political gesture.
One of the main topics of the talks will be concrete options for increasing the production and delivery of defense materials.
Germany is among Ukraine’s most significant European supporters and, in recent months, Berlin has also taken a tougher stance toward Moscow.
Aktualizovane.sk has also reported that Germany accused Russia of attempting a drone attack in Leipzig, and that the EU and NATO have begun preparing a response.
Moscow issues warning to foreigners ahead of visit
Merz arrived in Kyiv at a time of extremely tense security conditions.
Just hours before his arrival, Russia’s Foreign Ministry called on foreign visitors and diplomats to leave Kyiv and to avoid staying near military and government buildings.
Moscow claims that its armed forces will continue strikes on military targets in response to Ukrainian attacks against Russia.
This is the official Russian position. Ukraine and its allies have repeatedly accused Russia of attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure.
Merz: If we don’t stop Russia, the threat could spread
Upon arriving in the Ukrainian capital, the German Chancellor warned that the continuation of Russia’s war represents a security risk for other European countries as well.
Merz intends to personally assure President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can continue to count on Berlin’s support.
This is not Merz’s first visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
However, this latest trip comes at a time when the security situation in Kyiv is deteriorating and the number of drone attacks is on the rise.
Source: Info.sk, TASR
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
