Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced about 1 billion euros in military aid and 350 million euros for energy repairs in Kyiv as Russian drones struck the capital.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz used a visit to Kyiv to announce a further 1 billion euros, about 1.1 billion dollars, in military aid and said Germany would not be intimidated into dropping support for Ukraine. Reuters reported the announcement on Sunday as Russian drone strikes hit the capital during the trip.
Merz said Germany would fund joint production of drones designed to intercept Russia's jet-powered drones. The Guardian reported he also announced 350 million euros for repairs to Ukraine's energy sector as Moscow targets infrastructure ahead of winter.
German officials said executives travelling with Merz signed 14 agreements with Ukraine worth about 6.6 billion euros, Reuters and the Guardian reported. The deals included IRIS-T air-defence missiles with Diehl Defence, radar equipment with Hensoldt, and jet drone interceptors with Quantum Systems.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the visit mattered because Ukraine was also sharing experience and orders that create jobs in Germany. He praised a Quantum interceptor dubbed SPYS and said the two governments were close to a broader defence arrangement covering drones, missiles and software.
Air-raid sirens and explosions sounded repeatedly in Kyiv during the visit, both outlets reported. Merz called on President Vladimir Putin to abandon the war. Russia has described accusations of hybrid warfare as baseless.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Merz said the visit showed Germany would not be intimidated
- Zelenskyy said Ukrainian orders would mean jobs in Germany