German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, October 4, 2026, and announced more than €1.3 billion in military and energy assistance for Ukraine as Russian strikes and air-raid sirens disrupted the capital during his visit.
The package includes about €1 billion in military support, including long-range weapons, combat drones and satellite technology. Germany will also provide roughly €350 million for generators, substations and repairs to Ukraine’s damaged energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also advanced an agreement for joint production of drones, including interceptor systems designed to counter Russia’s fast jet-powered attack drones.
The cooperation is expected to cover additional weapons and related software, strengthening Ukraine’s domestic defense industry. Merz traveled with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and executives from German defense and energy companies, underscoring Berlin’s effort to combine immediate wartime aid with longer-term industrial cooperation. During the visit, Russian attacks struck infrastructure in Kyiv, including a bridge, while warning sirens sounded across the city.
Zelenskyy said the visit sent a powerful signal that Germany and Europe would continue supporting Ukraine despite the escalating attacks.