Merz Visits Kyiv: Germany, Ukraine Sign €8.5bn in Defense Deals

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday, October 4, 2026, for an unannounced visit, as air raid sirens and explosions sounded across the Ukrainian capital. He met President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said Ukraine would purchase more German weapons and equipment, alongside new financial aid and a package of joint defense-production agreements, according to the Kyiv Post and the Moscow Times.

What was signed

Ukraine and Germany signed 15 agreements worth more than €8.5 billion ($9.5 billion), the Kyiv Post reported. The package covers joint production of air-defense systems, small missiles, radars, ground-based robotic systems and drones, including a project known as FREYJA. It also expands German manufacturing capacity for Patriot interceptor ammunition and includes delivery of 1,000 newly developed interceptors designed against jet-powered Shahed-type drones, according to the same report.

Separately, Merz released €1 billion ($1.13 billion) in military aid already approved earlier and pledged €350 million for repairs to Ukraine's energy sector ahead of winter, the Moscow Times reported. Part of the drone and missile cooperation involves weapons with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers that Ukraine could use against targets inside Russia, according to the Moscow Times.

Zelensky described the arrangement as reciprocal, saying Germany was helping Ukraine during the war and that Ukraine was now placing orders that would create opportunities for German companies, according to the Kyiv Post.

Merz traveled with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and executives from German defense and energy firms including Siemens Energy, Hensoldt and Quantum Systems, the Moscow Times reported.

Russian strikes during the visit

The chancellor's visit coincided with a Russian campaign against bridges over the Dnipro River in Kyiv. The Kyiv Independent reported that Russia struck the capital's Northern Bridge with a drone on October 4, damaging the roadway and a heating main that cut hot water to part of the Desnianskyi district; two people were injured. It was the fourth consecutive day Russian forces had targeted bridges across the Dnipro, after repeated strikes on the Southern Bridge on October 1–3 that forced traffic and metro restrictions on five of the city's six road bridges.

Aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap told the Kyiv Independent that the small warheads used could not realistically destroy the bridges and described the strikes as intended to disrupt traffic and logistics and to pressure residents psychologically rather than demolish the structures.

Zelensky said Russia had fired more than 1,900 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs and 25 missiles at Ukraine in the same week, including over 800 jet-powered drones, according to the Kyiv Independent.

International reaction

After speaking with Zelensky on October 5, French President Emmanuel Macron condemned what he called an intensification of Russian attacks, calling it "irresponsible" and saying France would not yield to intimidation, Yahoo News France reported. Macron accused Moscow of refusing ceasefire appeals and pledged further French support for Ukrainian air defense. Four people were reported killed in attacks that day, including two in Kharkiv, according to the same report.

Russia has also called on foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv, warning of further large-scale strikes, according to Yahoo News France. Peace efforts remain stalled, with Washington reportedly proposing new talks before the end of the month.

Background

Russian strikes on Kyiv's bridges and energy infrastructure have intensified as winter approaches, part of what Ukrainian officials describe as a campaign against railways, telecommunications, gas stations, schools and residential buildings. Germany's defense package comes amid domestic political pressure, including opposition to arms deliveries to Ukraine from the far-right Alternative for Germany party, the Kyiv Post noted.