Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a further 1 billion euros in military aid in Kyiv and said Germany would not be intimidated into dropping support for Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Kyiv on Sunday 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 said Germany would fund joint production of drones designed to intercept Russia's jet-powered drones, and that recent technical breakthroughs were speeding production. The Guardian reported he also announced 350 million euros for repairs to the energy sector.
German officials said executives travelling with Merz signed 14 agreements with the Ukrainian government and businesses worth roughly 6.6 billion euros. Those included an IRIS-T missile supply agreement 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 promised retaliation for the escalation in drone strikes. Merz called on President Vladimir Putin to abandon the war.
Russia has said accusations of hybrid warfare are baseless and the result of anti-Russian hysteria, Reuters reported. Air-raid sirens sounded repeatedly in Kyiv during the visit.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Merz said the visit showed Germany would not be intimidated.
- Zelenskiy said Ukraine was sharing knowledge and experience as well as receiving orders and aid.