German Chancellor Announces New Aid for Ukraine During Kyiv Visit

UPDATE - follow-up to Germany's Merz in Kyiv for talks with Zelenskyy: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a new aid package worth more than 1.3 billion euros during a visit to Kyiv on Sunday, as Russia escalated its attacks on Ukrainian cities. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche joined the chancellor on the trip.

Aid and Agreements

About 1 billion euros of the package is military aid, including long-range strike weapons, combat drones and satellite technology. Germany is also providing about 350 million euros in energy aid ahead of winter for generators, substations and repair work. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the two countries signed 15 agreements worth more than 8.5 billion euros, covering security cooperation, weapons production, procurement and joint counter-drone efforts.

Attacks and Defence

Mr. Merz and Mr. Zelenskyy visited a damaged building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in central Kyiv following a Russian attack that killed two people. Mr. Zelenskyy said Russia launched 900 jet-powered drones this week alone, with Ukraine intercepting about half. Mr. Merz stated that Germany would fund the joint production of drones to intercept these threats and take further steps to defend itself, including against Russia's shadow fleet of tankers in the Baltic and North Seas.

Context

Germany remains Ukraine's largest donor, having sent more than 43.3 billion euros since the war began. Chancellor Merz stressed that German support is vital for European security as tensions rise between Berlin and Moscow.