KYIV, Ukraine — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a new aid package for Ukraine worth more than 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) during a visit to Kyiv on Sunday, as Russia escalated attacks on Ukrainian cities, the Associated Press reported.
About 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) is military aid. Merz said that includes long-range strike weapons, combat drones, and satellite technology “so that Ukraine can also target Russian launch pads.” Germany is also providing some 350 million euros ($395 million) in energy aid ahead of winter, for generators, substations, and repair work, he said. Dollar figures in parentheses are the Associated Press conversions.
Key facts
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New package | More than 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion) | AP; Merz in Kyiv |
| Military share | About 1 billion euros: long-range weapons, combat drones, satellites | AP |
| Energy share | Some 350 million euros for generators, substations, repairs | AP |
| Wider deals | 15 agreements worth more than 8.5 billion euros | AP; Zelenskyy |
| Sunday strikes | Northern Bridge hit; two wounded in Kyiv; one dead and 16 wounded in Sumy | AP; Klitschko; local officials |
What Berlin put on the table
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the two countries also signed 15 agreements worth more than 8.5 billion euros ($9.6 billion). Most cover security cooperation, weapons production, and procurement, plus a deal to expand joint counter-drone work.
“This is weaponry that will help right now,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. He called air defense “key” at this time.
At a news conference, he said Merz’s visit was “an important signal of support for Ukraine and of the courage of Germany and all of Europe.”
Germany will fund joint production of drones meant to intercept Russia’s jet-powered drones, Merz said. He cited “significant technical breakthroughs” that were speeding production.
“This will quickly and tangibly strengthen Ukraine’s air defense,” he said. “And this strengthening is urgently needed.”
Zelenskyy said Russia launched 900 jet-powered drones this week and Ukraine intercepted only around half. He pointed to F-16 jets in that fight and said he would speak with U.S. President Donald Trump about more ammunition.
The Associated Press reported Germany is Ukraine’s largest donor, with more than 43.3 billion euros ($48.8 billion) sent since the war began, plus equipment and weapons. Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche and a business delegation traveled with Merz.
Talks, and a damaged academy
Zelenskyy said the United States had proposed a trilateral meeting at the technical level by the end of October, possibly in the United Arab Emirates. He told U.S. negotiators on Saturday that Ukraine was ready. Kyiv is waiting on Russia, he said. He accused Moscow of avoiding meaningful peace talks.
Merz and Zelenskyy visited a National Academy of Sciences building in central Kyiv that was damaged in a Russian attack Monday. That strike killed two people, the Associated Press reported. Air raid sirens sounded during the visit. The site is a few hundred meters from the German Embassy.
“These barbaric attacks on the civilian population of Ukraine must stop. These are daily war crimes,” Merz said. He called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end “this senseless war,” and added: “We’re ready to talk.”
Zelenskyy, speaking in English, called the academy attack “absolutely terrible.” He said strikes continued while the chancellor was in the city.
Bridges, Sumy, and Berlin’s line on Moscow
Russian attacks damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge over the Dnieper River again on Sunday, the Associated Press reported. It said video on social media showed a drone hitting the bridge as vehicles crossed. Mayor Vitali Klitschko said two people were wounded.
Assaults since Thursday have forced the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv’s six road bridges.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Sunday it would intensify strikes on military-industrial sites and related infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions. It tied that to Zelenskyy’s comments, in a Reuters interview published Saturday, that Ukraine would escalate attacks on Russian oil refineries.
Zelenskyy said Russia was hitting civilian targets, including bridges, data centers, and mobile networks. He said Moscow had previously struck warehouses of Nova Poshta and Ukrposhta, and that Ukraine answered with strikes on retailer Wildberries.
“Now they are attacking bridges. Do they really think we won’t respond?” he said.
In Sumy, one person was killed and 16 were wounded Sunday in a Russian aerial bomb attack, local officials told the Associated Press.
Merz said Russian pressure on Germany went beyond a failed drone attack at Leipzig Airport in early August, including daily hits on data centers and networks. “None of this will stop if we stop helping Ukraine,” he said. “On the contrary, it will only get worse after that.”
The Associated Press reported Germany has blamed Russia for Leipzig and, in early September, said it would close the consulate in St. Petersburg. Merz said Berlin would take further steps against Russia’s shadow fleet in the Baltic and North seas, and against airspace violations and drone attacks.
Russia invaded more than four and a half years ago. The Associated Press reported no concrete sign of a settlement, and fighting along a front of roughly 1,250 kilometers (780 miles) has been virtually deadlocked in recent months.
Photo credit
¹ Region N3 branded politics placeholder. Not a wire photo of Kyiv, Chancellor Merz, or Sunday’s strikes.