Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged another 1 billion euros in military aid in Kyiv and said Germany would not be intimidated, as Russian drones struck the capital during the visit.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Sunday in Kyiv that Germany would not be intimidated into dropping support for Ukraine and announced a further 1 billion euros, about $1.1 billion, in military aid. Russian drone strikes hit the capital during the visit, Reuters reported.
He called on President Vladimir Putin to abandon what Merz described as a senseless war. The Guardian reported that Merz also announced 350 million euros for energy-sector repairs and German funding for joint production of drones meant to intercept Russian jet-powered drones.
German officials said executives traveling with Merz signed 14 agreements with the Ukrainian government and businesses worth about 6.6 billion euros. They included an IRIS-T missile supply deal with Diehl Defence, radar equipment with Hensoldt and jet drone interceptors with Quantum Systems.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine was sharing knowledge and orders as well as receiving help, and he promised retaliation for the escalation in drone strikes. Air-raid sirens sounded repeatedly during the chancellor's program.
Russia has called accusations of hybrid warfare baseless. Delivery schedules for the new missile, radar and interceptor contracts were not detailed in the initial announcements.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Merz said the visit showed Germany would not be intimidated.
- Zelenskiy said Ukraine was sharing experience and orders, not only receiving aid.