Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a further 1 billion euros in military aid in Kyiv and said Germany would not be intimidated. Executives signed agreements worth about 6.6 billion euros.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany will not be intimidated into dropping support for Ukraine as he announced a further 1 billion euros, about 1.1 billion dollars, in military aid during a visit to Kyiv.
Reuters reported the Sunday visit was marked by Russian drone strikes on the capital. Merz called on President Vladimir Putin to abandon the war. German officials said executives travelling with him signed 14 agreements with the Ukrainian government and businesses worth roughly 6.6 billion euros. Those included an IRIS-T missile deal with Diehl Defence, radar equipment with Hensoldt, and jet drone interceptors with Quantum Systems.
Bloomberg described a package of weaponry and energy aid worth about 1.5 billion dollars, including long-range weapons, combat drones and satellite technology, plus 391 million dollars for energy-infrastructure repairs. Merz said he travelled to Kyiv because Ukraine needs support in the coming weeks, and warned that if Russia is not stopped its war machine could later be turned against the Western alliance.
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and executives from firms including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Helsing and ARX Robotics joined the trip. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine is also sharing knowledge and orders, not only receiving help, and promised retaliation for the escalation in drone strikes.
The aid figures come from the German government statements reported by Reuters and Bloomberg. Delivery schedules were not set out in those accounts.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Merz said the visit showed Germany will not be intimidated
- Zelenskiy said the partnership is not a one-way street