Friedrich Merz visits Kyiv with 1.35 billion euro aid package and drone production deal

High-level delegation in Kyiv

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Sunday morning on an unannounced official visit. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcomed the German delegation upon arrival at the central railway station in Kyiv. Merz was accompanied by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche, alongside a delegation of ten business executives representing German defence and energy corporations. The commercial delegation included senior representatives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, and Quantum Systems. Sybiha expressed gratitude for the timing of the visit, noting that Germany had celebrated its national Reunification Day on 3 October, just one day prior to the talks.

Just yesterday, Germany celebrated reunification that changed Europe. Today, Ukrainians are defending the freedom, security and unity of Europe, and Germany stands firmly by our side.

Military funding and drone manufacturing

Talks between Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy focused on expanding bilateral arms manufacturing, specifically covering interceptor drones, missiles, and specialized targeting software. The German government announced a combined assistance package that allocates 1 billion euros from approved federal budget funds for military equipment and domestic production initiatives. A central component of the talks involved expediting deliveries of interceptor drones to counter Russian strike drones powered by jet engines. The two governments also arranged plans to co-produce long-range strike systems with ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometres, aimed at targeting Russian military logistics and supply routes behind the front line.

The initiative builds on existing industrial integration established earlier in the year. In April, German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems and Ukrainian manufacturer WIY Drones created a joint venture named Quantum WIY Industries to manufacture the Strila interceptor drone. Merz confirmed that Berlin intends to deliver thousands of interceptor units to Ukrainian forces in the coming weeks to strengthen municipal and frontline air defence capabilities.

Energy grid protection and repair funding

In addition to military hardware, the German package allocates 350 million euros to repair and reconstruct Ukrainian energy infrastructure damaged by persistent Russian bombardment. Russian forces have targeted municipal thermal power plants, electricity generation stations, and urban residential areas across Ukraine. Merz reiterated Berlin's ongoing financial and industrial commitment during his arrival statements, noting that Ukrainian civil stability requires immediate technical support before winter.

If Russia is not stopped, sooner or later its war machine will turn against us.

Escalating strikes and diplomatic warnings

The visit took place against a backdrop of intensified aerial operations across Ukraine. Air raid sirens sounded six times in Kyiv between Saturday night and Sunday morning due to incoming drone barrages. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that drone fragments landed on the roof of a residential apartment building in the Dniprovskyi district without causing a fire, following a separate strike on the capital's North Bridge on Saturday. On 3 October, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official warning urging foreign diplomats and international citizens to avoid travelling to Ukraine or leave the country, asserting that Russian forces would continue systematic strikes.

In response to the air campaign against Ukrainian utility grids, Zelenskyy told Reuters that Ukrainian forces will escalate strikes against Russian oil refineries. Zelenskyy stated that the strikes aim to counter a Moscow strategy designed to force civilians to abandon Kyiv and other major urban centers. Merz reaffirmed that Germany will maintain long-term support for Ukrainian defence and grid stabilization.

I came to Kyiv today because in the coming weeks Ukraine needs all our support.