Merz in Kyiv: €1 Billion in Military Aid, €350 Million for Energy, €6.6 Billion in Company Deals
Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, October 4, 2026, for his second visit to Ukraine. Reuters reported that he announced a further €1 billion in military aid and €350 million for repairs to Ukraine's energy sector. 'I traveled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks,' Merz said. Air-raid sirens and explosions sounded repeatedly across the capital as Merz and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a memorial to fallen soldiers and the Academy of Sciences, where at least two people died in a drone strike the previous week.
Merz travelled with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and executives from firms including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems. German officials said the companies signed 14 agreements with the Ukrainian government and businesses worth roughly €6.6 billion (Ukrainian authorities put 15 agreements at €8.5 billion), including Diehl Defence supplying IRIS-T air-defence missiles, Hensoldt radar equipment and Quantum Systems jet-drone interceptors. The military package focuses on long-range weapons, interceptor drones and satellite technology, alongside joint drone production.
At a joint press conference, Merz said Moscow was trying to break Ukrainian morale but Germany would not be intimidated, arguing that supporting Ukraine protects not only its territorial integrity but Europe's own security. He also pressed Kyiv for progress on the rule-of-law and anti-corruption reforms sought by EU partners, and declared support for Ukraine's swift EU accession. Russia says hybrid-warfare accusations are baseless.
Analysts at the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) noted the visit signals that Berlin intends to maintain support for Ukraine despite Merz's difficult domestic position after AfD and Left victories in recent local elections and intensified Russian hostile activity aimed at Germany. Defence-industry cooperation is a key pillar of the strategic partnership concluded in April; Germany says it has provided Ukraine more than €43 billion since the full-scale invasion began.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 基辅独立广场。摄影：Andrew Milligan sumo，CC BY 2.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
