German Chancellor Merz arrives in Kyiv on unannounced visit
In short
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on 4 October on an unannounced visit, accompanied by economy minister Katerina Reiche and heads of German defence and energy companies. Reports citing Reuters said he is expected to announce €1bn in military aid and €350m for Ukraine's energy sector and to conclude an agreement on joint drone production. TASS, citing German government sources, said he intends to announce the transfer of thousands of interceptor drones and the production of long-range weapons for Ukraine.
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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on 4 October on an unannounced visit, according to RIA Novosti, TASS, Meduza, RBC, Kommersant and Interfax. Meduza reported, citing Deutsche Welle, that it is Merz's second visit to the Ukrainian capital as chancellor, after a trip in May 2025 shortly after he took office. The chancellor was accompanied by German economy minister Katerina Reiche and by heads of German defence and energy companies, including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems, Vedomosti and Kommersant reported, both citing Reuters. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
According to reports citing Reuters, Merz is expected to announce a package including €1bn in military aid and €350m for the restoration of Ukraine's energy sector, and to conclude an agreement on joint Ukrainian-German production of various types of drones. TASS, citing sources in German government circles, said separately that the chancellor intends to announce the transfer to Kyiv of thousands of interceptor drones and the production of long-range weapons for Ukraine. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Speaking at the station on arrival, Merz said: “Today I came to Kyiv because in the coming weeks Ukraine needs our support. If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will sooner or later turn against us.” Kommersant reported that he said he would assure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Berlin's course is unchanged. [ 4 , 6 ]
Kommersant, citing Reuters, described the planned production scheme as based on Ukrainian drone and related technologies, with technology exchanged in both directions and weapons production on that basis also planned in Germany. It said a separate element would be the transfer to Germany of full digital records from the battlefield and data on the use of German defence technologies in Ukraine, so that Ukrainian combat experience could be used in joint defence enterprises. Kommersant noted that a practical model for such cooperation was set up in December 2025, when Ukraine's Frontline Robotics and Germany's Quantum Systems created the joint venture Quantum Frontline Industries, and that a Quantum Systems contract announced on 15 December 2025 provided for serial production in Germany of tens of thousands of drones. [ 6 ]
Vedomosti and Kommersant, citing Reuters sources, reported that Merz would also seek progress from the Ukrainian authorities on reforms requested by EU partners, including anti-corruption efforts. [ 3 , 6 ]
Vedomosti noted that Ukraine and Germany signed a defence agreement worth €4bn on 14 April covering air defence, long-range weapons and joint drone production, and that participants in a two-day NATO summit in Ankara that ended on 8 July approved a declaration confirming military aid to Ukraine of no less than €70bn for 2026–2027. Vedomosti also recalled that Zelensky said on 2 September that Ukraine would soon finalise a deal with Germany on the production of drones, missiles and related software. No document reported the outcome of Merz's talks in Kyiv by the time of publication. [ 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
It is Merz's second visit to Kyiv as chancellor and combines military aid with a joint drone production plan that, according to Kommersant, would draw on Ukrainian drone designs and battlefield data for weapons production in Germany as well. Russian state outlets carried the trip through foreign agencies, while business outlets reported the aid figures and Merz's remarks. No document reported the outcome of his talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by the time of publication.
Key facts
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on 4 October on an unannounced visit, according to Russian and international agency reports. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- He was accompanied by German economy minister Katerina Reiche and heads of German defence and energy companies, including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems. [ 3 , 6 ]
- Reports citing Reuters said Merz is expected to announce €1bn in military aid and €350m for restoring Ukraine's energy sector. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- An agreement on joint Ukrainian-German production of various types of drones is expected to be concluded during the visit. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- TASS, citing sources in German government circles, said Merz intends to announce the transfer of thousands of interceptor drones and the production of long-range weapons for Ukraine. [ 2 ]
- At the station in Kyiv, Merz said Ukraine would need support in the coming weeks and that if Russia is not stopped its war machine would sooner or later turn against Germany and its partners. [ 4 , 6 ]
- According to Reuters sources cited by Vedomosti and Kommersant, Merz also intends to press Kyiv on reforms requested by EU partners, including anti-corruption efforts. [ 3 , 6 ]
- Meduza reported that this is Merz's second visit to Kyiv as chancellor, after a trip in May 2025 shortly after he took office. [ 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on 4 October on an unannounced visit. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- German economy minister Katerina Reiche was part of the delegation. [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- Heads of German defence companies, including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems, accompanied the chancellor. [ 3 , 6 ]
- Merz is expected to announce €1bn in military aid and €350m for Ukraine's energy sector. [ 3 , 4 , 6 ]
- A joint Ukrainian-German drone production agreement is expected during the visit. [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the aid package was formally announced and the drone production agreement signed during the visit. Documents published during the visit describe expected or planned announcements; none reports completion or an outcome.
- TASS's report that Merz will announce thousands of interceptor drones and long-range weapons production for Ukraine. Sourced only to TASS, citing unnamed sources in German government circles.
- Merz's intention to press Kyiv on reforms including anti-corruption. Attributed by Vedomosti and Kommersant to the same source, Reuters sources, rather than to independent reporting.
- Whether Merz met President Volodymyr Zelensky and what was agreed. The documents mention the expected meeting; none reports its results.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti, citing media, reports that Merz has arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit. [ 1 ]
- TASS, citing DPA and German government sources, reports the visit and the expected announcements on interceptor drones and long-range weapons production. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti, citing Reuters, reports the €1bn military aid and €350m energy figures and the company chiefs in the delegation. [ 3 ]
- Meduza publishes Merz's remarks on arrival at the station. [ 4 ]
- RBC reports the arrival of Merz and Katerina Reiche. [ 5 ]
- Kommersant reports details of the planned joint drone production scheme and earlier Quantum Systems cooperation. [ 6 ]
- Interfax, citing EFE, reports the visit and the arrival of Reiche and company heads. [ 7 ]