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Germany's Merz makes surprise Kyiv visit, unveils €1.3B-plus new Ukraine aid package

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid a surprise visit to Kyiv on Sunday, announcing a new Ukraine aid package worth more than 1.3 billion euros, including 1 billion euros in military aid and 350 million euros in energy assistance, plus 15 cooperation agreements.

Why it matters

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz paid an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Sunday (Oct. 4) and unveiled a new aid package for Ukraine worth more than 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion), as Russia escalated strikes on the Ukrainian capital. About 1 billion euros is military aid, including long-range strike weapons, combat drones and satellite technology, "so that Ukraine can also target Russian launch pads," Merz said at a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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Germany is also providing some 350 million euros ($395 million) in energy aid ahead of winter, for generators, substations and repair work, Merz said. The two countries signed 15 agreements worth more than 8.5 billion euros, mostly covering security cooperation, weapons production and procurement, and expanded joint counter-drone efforts. Germany will fund the joint production of interceptor drones designed to counter Russia's jet-powered drones.

Reuters reported that executives from German companies travelling with Merz, including Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, signed deals worth roughly 6.6 billion euros, among them IRIS-T air defence missiles from Diehl Defence, radar equipment from Hensoldt and jet drone interceptors from Quantum Systems.

The visit was marked by Russian attacks: air-raid sirens and explosions rang out across Kyiv, and a drone struck the capital's Northern Bridge on Sunday morning, injuring two people and rupturing a heating main, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. "We will not be intimidated," Merz said, calling Germany Ukraine's strongest backer. This was his second visit to Ukraine in 18 months in office.

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