Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Kyiv that Germany would not be intimidated into dropping support for Ukraine and announced further military and energy aid as Russian drones struck the capital.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on 4 October in Kyiv that Germany would not be intimidated into dropping support for Ukraine as he announced a further 1 billion euros, about 1.1 billion dollars, in military aid. Reuters reported that Russian drone strikes hit the capital during the visit.
Merz called on President Vladimir Putin to abandon the war. German officials said executives travelling with the chancellor signed 14 agreements with the Ukrainian government and businesses worth roughly 6.6 billion euros. Those included an IRIS-T missile supply deal with Diehl Defence, radar equipment with Hensoldt and jet drone interceptors with Quantum Systems.
The Guardian reported that Merz also announced 350 million euros for repairs to the energy sector and funding for joint production of drones meant to intercept Russian jet-powered drones. Air-raid sirens sounded repeatedly in Kyiv during the visit.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine was sharing knowledge and orders as well as receiving help, and promised retaliation for an escalation in drone strikes. Russia has called accusations of hybrid warfare baseless.
The announcements add to existing German military support. Neither Reuters nor the Guardian reported a new formal treaty beyond the aid pledge and the company agreements signed during the visit.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Merz said the visit showed Germany would not be intimidated
- Zelenskiy said Ukraine was sharing experience and orders as well as receiving aid