Chancellor Merz visits Kyiv to guarantee delivery of interceptor drones
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced solidarity visit, tagesschau.de reported.
- Government sources stated that Chancellor Merz intends to guarantee the swift delivery of thousands of interceptor drones to Ukrainian forces.
- To fund these initiatives, one billion euros from previously approved budget funds will be released.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced solidarity visit, tagesschau.de reported. He traveled aboard a special train accompanied by Economics Minister Katherina Reiche and ten executives from the defense and energy sectors. It is the fourth visit by a German chancellor since the Russian invasion in February 2022, following two trips by his predecessor Olaf Scholz. Merz visited Kyiv in May of last year just four days after his swearing-in as chancellor in the Bundestag, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, then British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Military Aid And Drone Production Plans
Government sources stated that Chancellor Merz intends to guarantee the swift delivery of thousands of interceptor drones to Ukrainian forces. These devices are designed to counter fast-moving Russian jet-powered combat drones. Berlin and Kyiv plan to advance the joint production of long-range weapons capable of striking supply lines behind the front lines in Russia.
To fund these initiatives, one billion euros from previously approved budget funds will be released. A further 350 million euros is earmarked for the repair and reconstruction of destroyed power plants, according to government reporting.
Security Warnings From Moscow
Hours before the special train reached the capital, the Russian foreign ministry issued a warning urging foreign visitors and diplomats to leave Kyiv. The ministry stated that individuals should stay away from military facilities and government buildings, adding that those who ignore the warning bear full responsibility for any adverse consequences.
Tagesschau.de noted that the journey ranks among the most dangerous undertaken by a German chancellor given the deteriorating security situation. Russia has intensified bombardments against civilian targets, heating power plants, and passenger trains across Ukraine.
Reassurance Amid Growing Political Resistance
Chancellor Merz dismissed the risks during his arrival, emphasizing that Ukraine needs international backing as it approaches its fifth winter of war. On our help you can continue to count,
he said he would tell President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by tagesschau.de.
While Germany remains the largest financial and military provider for Ukraine, the visit occurs alongside mounting domestic political resistance within Germany against continued multi-billion-euro aid packages.
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