German Chancellor Merz visits Kyiv, pledges winter support for Ukraine

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit on Sunday, October 4, pledging support for Ukraine ahead of winter. He is expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Merz, accompanied by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and ten business leaders from defense and energy sectors, said Ukraine needs support in coming weeks, warning that if Russia is not stopped, its military machine will turn against Europe. He noted this will be Ukrainians' fifth wartime winter. According to dpa and Reuters, Merz will announce a aid package including €1 billion in weapons and €350 million for energy sector restoration, plus joint drone production and development of long-range weapons exceeding 1,000 km. This is his fourth visit since the war began.