Merz brings €1 billion aid and drone deal to Kyiv

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on October 4, 2026, with a new support package and plans to expand joint weapons production, including a €1 billion military aid package and €350 million for energy sector restoration. The visit includes talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a drone production agreement, covering interceptor drones to counter Russian attack drones and weapons with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The German delegation includes ministers and representatives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence, and Quantum Systems. German officials expect the deepened defense partnership to benefit Germany through technology and cost returns, while Merz will also address Ukraine's reform progress on EU integration and anti-corruption efforts. This is Merz's first visit to Ukraine since 2025.