German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reached Kyiv on Sunday with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and defence-industry executives, ahead of announcements on military aid, energy repairs and drone production.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday with Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche and executives from German defence and energy firms, Reuters reported. The visit comes as Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities continue.
German government officials told Reuters that Merz will announce the release of 1 billion euros in military aid and 350 million euros for energy-sector repairs, and that the trip is expected to finalise joint drone production. The delegation includes executives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems.
Merz said he travelled because Ukraine needs support in the coming weeks and that Russian forces were bombing towns, residential buildings and heating plants. He said he would tell President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Ukraine could continue to count on German help, and warned that if Russia is not stopped its war machine could later turn against Europe.
A focus is rapid production of interceptors against jet-powered attack drones. Quantum Systems and Ukrainian manufacturer WIY Drones formed Quantum WIY Industries in April to produce the Strila interceptor. Officials also described joint work on weapons with a range above 1,000 kilometres. Merz is expected to press Kyiv on reforms sought by EU partners, including anti-corruption measures.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that Moscow would keep striking targets in Ukraine, describing the strikes as retaliation, and warned foreign nationals against travel to Ukraine. Zelenskiy told Reuters on Saturday that Ukrainian forces would increase attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to what he called a new Russian strike doctrine.