Merz Arrives in Kyiv to Finalize Drone Deal and Announce Aid

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, accompanied by executives from German defense companies, in a gesture of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities escalate.

German government officials stated that Merz will announce a package of measures that includes military aid worth one billion euros and 350 million euros for repairing the energy sector. The visit is also expected to finalize an agreement for the joint production of various types of drones.

Merz said: "I traveled to Kyiv today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks," pointing out that Russian forces are shelling towns, residential buildings, and heating stations.

He added: "If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will turn against us sooner or later."

He continued: "I will tell President Zelensky today: You can continue to rely on our assistance."

The German Chancellor is accompanied by the Minister of Economy, Katrin Reich, and an economic delegation that includes executives from companies such as "Siemens Energy," "Hensoldt," "Diehl Defense," "Quantum Systems," and others.

Merkel is also expected to urge the Ukrainian government to make progress on the reforms demanded by its partners in the European Union, including anti-corruption measures.

Zelensky stated on Wednesday, after a phone call with Merkel, that Ukraine will soon finalize the agreement with Germany for the production of drones, missiles, and related software.

A significant focus is expected to be on the rapid production of interceptor drones against jet aircraft, which the German defense technology company "Quantum" has successfully tested. Since the summer, Russia has been using dozens of high-speed jet attack drones daily to target civilian and military infrastructure.

Macron and the German Chancellor criticized the European Union for opening channels of communication with Putin, putting the leaders of the two largest countries in Europe in direct confrontation with a large part of the rest of the bloc's countries.

In April, "Quantum" and the Ukrainian company "W.I.Y. Drones" announced the establishment of "Quantum W.I.Y. Industries", a joint venture to produce the intercept drone "Strela" and related air defense technologies.

The agreement also includes the joint development and production of weapons with a range exceeding one thousand kilometers, which Ukraine can use to launch attacks deep into Russia.

Government officials stated that increased cooperation will allow for the flow of funds and technology to Germany, where weapons can be produced and defenses against drones targeting critical infrastructure can be strengthened.

Mertz stated on Thursday that Germany will not be intimidated by the increase in hybrid attacks launched by Russia against European countries.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a statement on Saturday that Moscow will continue to systematically strike targets in Ukraine, describing them as retaliatory strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russia over the past few months.

Foreign nationals and diplomatic mission staff have been warned against staying in or traveling to Ukraine.

Zelensky told Reuters on Saturday that his armed forces would intensify attacks on Russian oil refineries in response to what he described as Moscow's "new doctrine" of escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure, which he said aims to force residents of Kyiv and other cities to flee.