Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced about €1 billion in military aid and €350 million for energy repairs during a Kyiv visit marked by Russian drone strikes. German and Ukrainian executives signed agreements worth about €6.6 billion.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz used a visit to Kyiv on Sunday to announce further support for Ukraine and said Germany would not be intimidated into dropping that support. Reuters reported a further €1 billion, about $1.1 billion, in military aid. The Guardian reported an additional €350 million for repairs to the energy sector.
Air-raid sirens and explosions sounded repeatedly in the capital during the visit, both outlets reported, as Russia continued drone strikes. Merz called on President Vladimir Putin to abandon the war. Russia has said accusations of hybrid warfare are baseless.
German officials said executives travelling with Merz signed 14 agreements with the Ukrainian government and businesses worth roughly €6.6 billion. The deals included IRIS-T air-defence missiles from Diehl Defence, radar equipment from Hensoldt and jet drone interceptors from Quantum Systems. Merz said Germany would fund joint production of drones meant to intercept Russia's jet-powered drones.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the visit mattered because Ukraine was also sharing knowledge and experience, not only receiving help, and he promised retaliation for the escalation in drone strikes.
The military package is separate from the energy-repair money. Delivery schedules for the new interceptor and missile agreements were not published in the initial readout.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Merz said the visit showed Germany would not be intimidated
- Zelenskyy said Ukraine was sharing knowledge as well as receiving orders and aid
- Russia called hybrid-warfare accusations baseless