Merz visits Kyiv as Germany prepares new military and energy support

On October 4, 2026, Friedrich Merz, Germany’s chancellor, travelled to Kyiv to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscoring Berlin’s backing for Ukraine as it readied additional defence and energy support and broader collaborative arms manufacturing.¹³⁵⁷

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Military and energy assistance

Germany is expected to release €1 billion in military assistance from funds that have already been approved, alongside €350 million to repair damaged energy infrastructure. The planned support includes interceptor drones and long-range weapons, while government sources cited by Deutschland.de said thousands of interceptor drones would be delivered shortly. The reports did not specify a delivery schedule for the wider package.³⁷⁸

The visit is also expected to advance an agreement under which Germany and Ukraine would jointly produce drones, missiles and associated software. Reuters reported that the planned weapons would include systems with ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometres. Merz travelled with German economic representatives; separate reports said Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and executives from the defence and energy industries were among the delegation.³⁵⁶⁷

One strand of cooperation involves Quantum Systems, a German defence-technology company that has tested drones designed to intercept jet-powered aircraft. According to a Reuters report published by Internazionale, Quantum and Ukraine-based producer WIY Drones established Quantum WIY Industries in April to manufacture the Strila interceptor drone and associated air-defence systems.³⁷

Politico Europe said Berlin had separately announced it would supply Patriot PAC-2 interceptors from German inventories. The outlet said Merz continued to withhold Taurus cruise missiles, while Germany had provided financial and technical support for Ukraine’s development of other long-range weapons.⁴

Strikes disrupt Kyiv

The visit took place amid renewed attacks on Kyiv and its transport network. A Russian drone struck the Northern Bridge, damaging its roadway and a nearby hot-water supply system. No casualties were immediately reported. Earlier attacks forced full or partial closures on three of the capital’s six road bridges over the Dnipro, producing traffic congestion and wider transport disruption.¹²⁷⁹

EFE said Russia sent 135 attack drones overnight, including over 50 powered by jet engines. Other reports said Russia had been using dozens of high-speed jet attack drones each day since the summer. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the capital faced a “very dramatic situation” and should operate on a war footing.¹³⁷⁹

Russia’s Foreign Ministry urged foreign nationals and diplomatic personnel not to remain in or travel to Ukraine and said Moscow would continue striking targets. The ministry described the attacks as retaliation for Ukrainian operations in recent months. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said Ukrainian forces would intensify attacks on Russian oil refineries, according to Reuters.¹²³⁷

Talks on defence and Europe

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga met Merz on his arrival and said the chancellor would hold talks with Zelenskyy covering bilateral, European and international issues. The two leaders discussed strengthening Ukraine’s defence and resilience as well as broader European security, and they attended a commemorative ceremony at Kyiv’s Independence Square.¹²⁵

Merz presented Germany’s backing as connected to its own security. “If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us,” he said. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the visit, while Ukrainian officials said agreements intended to strengthen the defence of both Ukraine and Europe were being prepared.¹⁵⁹

The talks were also expected to address air defence, long-range weapons and peace initiatives. Politico Europe reported that Merz had proposed a form of associated European Union membership for Ukraine without voting rights, an approach Zelenskyy rejected in favour of full and equal membership.⁴