Germany pledges €1.3 billion in new aid for Ukraine's energy and defense

Germany announced a new comprehensive support package for Ukraine worth over 1.3 billion euros, including weapons, energy aid, and funding for interceptor production against jet-powered drones, as stated by Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Kyiv on October 4. The package was unveiled at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside the signing of 15 agreements covering security, arms production, and procurement. A separate deal addresses joint drone countermeasures, prompted by a Russian drone attack on Leipzig airport on August 4, 2026. Merz also pledged to accelerate Ukraine's EU accession process in Brussels, while emphasizing the need for Ukrainian reforms in rule of law and anti-corruption. This follows Germany's September 8 commitment to deliver PAC-2 interceptor missiles for Patriot systems before winter.