Merz Arrives in Kyiv With Defence CEOs, Pledging 1 Billion Euros in Aid and a Joint Drone Deal

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stepped off a special overnight train in Kyiv early on Sunday, October 4, in an unannounced visit that brings fresh money and a defence-industrial partnership to Ukraine at one of the most dangerous moments of the war. It is his first trip to the Ukrainian capital since May 2025, and he came with a delegation of German business leaders rather than just diplomats.

German government officials said Merz would announce a package that releases €1 billion in military aid from already approved budget funds, along with €350 million to repair Ukraine's battered energy system. The visit is also expected to seal an agreement for the joint production of several types of drones.

Why Merz came now

Merz framed the trip as a response to Russia's escalating air campaign as Ukraine heads into its fifth winter of full-scale war. He told reporters on arrival that Ukraine needs every bit of support in the coming weeks, pointing to Russian strikes on towns, apartment blocks and heating plants, and warned that if Russia is not stopped, its war machine will eventually turn on Europe as well. He said he would tell President Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine can continue to count on German help.

The timing is pointed. Only hours before his train pulled in, Russia's Foreign Ministry had urged foreign visitors and diplomats to leave Kyiv, saying its forces would keep up systematic strikes on the city. Kyiv has spent the past week dealing with repeated attacks on its Dnipro bridges and power infrastructure, and Zelensky has accused Moscow of adopting a new doctrine aimed at civilian targets this winter.

Drones at the centre of the deal

The delegation includes Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and around ten executives from the defence and energy sectors, among them representatives of Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and drone maker Quantum Systems.

A central goal is to speed up production of interceptor drones capable of bringing down the fast, jet-powered attack drones Russia has been launching in large numbers since the summer. Quantum Systems and Ukrainian manufacturer WIY Drones set up a joint venture earlier this year to build the Strila interceptor. According to German officials, Merz intends to assure Ukrainian commanders that thousands of such interceptors will be delivered soon.

The partnership also covers joint development of weapons with a range of more than 1,000 kilometres, giving Ukraine more capacity to hit supply lines and energy assets deep inside Russia. Berlin argues the arrangement cuts both ways: money and battlefield-tested technology flow back to German factories, which in turn strengthens Germany's own defences against drones targeting critical infrastructure.

Pressure at home and on Kyiv

Merz's visit comes despite growing opposition in Germany to continued multibillion-euro support. Parties including the AfD, the Left and the BSW have made Ukraine aid a campaign issue, and Merz has publicly accused the far right of echoing Russian talking points. Germany remains Ukraine's largest European backer, both financially and militarily.

The chancellor is also expected to press Kyiv on reforms demanded by EU partners, particularly on tackling corruption. Diplomatically, Merz has argued that Moscow only responds to strength, after Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's recent meeting with Russia's Sergei Lavrov in New York produced nothing new.

What to watch

The key details still to come are the precise terms of the drone agreement, the delivery timeline for interceptors, and whether other European capitals follow Berlin with similar packages before winter sets in. For energy markets, any Ukrainian escalation against Russian refineries, which Zelensky has promised, could add further pressure to already elevated oil prices.

This is an original summary based on public reporting. See our editorial policy for how we source, write, and correct our stories.