dpatop – Kiev, Ukraine, October 4, 2026: Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) arrives early in the morning at the main railway station in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, where he is received by Boris Ruge, the German Ambassador to Ukraine. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa (Photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture Alliance via Getty Images)
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kiev on Sunday, accompanied by CEOs of German defense companies, to express support for President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities intensify.
German government officials said Chancellor Merz was expected to announce a series of measures, including the release of 1 billion euros in military aid and 350 million euros for repairs to the energy sector. During this visit, agreements on joint production of various types of drones are also expected to be signed.
“I went to Kiev today because Ukraine needs all the help it can get in the coming weeks,” Merz said, noting that Russian forces were bombing towns, homes and heating facilities. “If we don’t stop Russia, sooner or later the Russian war machine will turn against us.”
“Today I will tell President Zelenskiy that he can continue to count on our support,” Merz added.
The German chancellor is accompanied by an economic delegation that includes Economics Minister Katerina Reich and executives from companies such as Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defense and Quantum Systems.
Merz is also expected to urge the Ukrainian government to make progress on reforms requested by EU member states, including the eradication of corruption.
After speaking by phone with Merz on Wednesday, President Zelensky said Ukraine would soon finalize an agreement with Germany on the production of drones, missiles and related software.
A key focus is expected to be the rapid production of anti-jet drones, which German defense technology company Quantum has successfully tested. Since the summer, Russia has used dozens of fast jet attack drones daily to target civilian and military infrastructure.
In April, Quantum and Ukrainian manufacturer WIY Drones announced the creation of a joint venture, Quantum WIY Industries, to produce Strilla interceptor drones and related air defense technology.
The deal also includes joint development and production of weapons with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) that Ukraine could use to strike deep into Russia.
Government officials said the increased cooperation would bring money and technology back to the federal republic, produce weapons and strengthen defenses against drones targeting critical infrastructure.
Merz said on Thursday that Germany would not be intimidated by Russia’s increasing number of hybrid attacks against European countries.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Russia would continue to systematically attack targets inside Ukraine, saying the attacks were retaliation for attacks by Ukraine on Russia in recent months. Foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel were warned not to stay in or travel to Ukraine.
President Zelensky told Reuters on Saturday that his army would double its attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow’s “new doctrine” of escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure, with the aim of forcing residents of Kiev and other cities to evacuate.
