Merz arrives in Kyiv for support and drone talks
The German chancellor wants to discuss defence, European security and joint drone production with Ukraine.
Follow-up to: Merz travels to Kyiv with aid and drone plan Sunday, 4 October 2026, 08:04
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky. His visit follows earlier German pledges to Ukraine and comes as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities intensify.
Merz announced his arrival himself and said that Ukraine is facing decisive weeks. According to the chancellor, he is travelling to Kyiv with the message that Germany will continue to support Ukraine and that German security is also bound up with the outcome of the war.
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, the agenda includes talks on strengthening Ukraine’s defences, the country’s resilience and European security. It is not yet clear what concrete decisions will emerge from the talks.
According to Reuters, work is also under way during the visit on an agreement for the joint production of various types of drones. Senior figures from the German defence industry are accompanying Merz. The precise scale, funding and timetable of any agreement have not been made public.
The visit comes against the backdrop of an intensifying air war. The Associated Press reports that Russia continues to attack Ukrainian cities with, among other things, ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones. Ukraine, in turn, is carrying out attacks on Russian oil infrastructure and companies.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow would continue what it describes as retaliatory attacks. Russia links those attacks to Ukrainian attacks on targets in Russia. That characterisation is a Russian interpretation of events; public sources provide no independent confirmation of all the military claims mentioned.
The trip is chiefly politically significant. Germany is one of Ukraine’s most important European supporters, but Merz must at the same time take account of the risks of further military involvement, the cost to the German budget and the question of how European support can remain sustainable in the longer term.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Merz has arrived in Kyiv for talks with Zelensky.
- Germany intends to continue supporting Ukraine.
- A possible agreement on joint drone production is on the table.
- The war and Russian attacks are continuing.
Left
Arguments European support for Ukraine is necessary to defend international legal rules and the sovereignty of an attacked country. Joint production in Europe could also strengthen the European defence industry and make it less dependent on the United States.
Values International solidarity, the protection of civilians and strong European cooperation.
Consequences More support could help Ukraine defend itself, but it also carries risks of escalation and prolonged military spending.
Centre
Arguments Germany should support Ukraine for as long as necessary, but step by step, in a verifiable way and in coordination with European allies. Joint production could be more efficient than separate national support, provided parliamentary and financial oversight are in place.
Values European security, institutional responsibility and manageability.
Consequences A joint approach could make support more sustainable, but it could also slow decision-making and deepen European involvement further.
Right
Arguments Germany should put its own security and defence capabilities first. Support for Ukraine may be justified if it clearly contributes to European deterrence, but open-ended commitments and additional risks for German service personnel should be avoided.
Values National security, budgetary discipline and clear limits on foreign commitments.
Consequences Conditional support could limit costs and risks, but a more cautious German role could in turn make Ukraine and European allies uncertain.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The main facts have been confirmed by AP and Reuters. Russia’s military claims are clearly presented as claims.
- confirmed Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Sunday. — Confirmed by the Associated Press. source
- confirmed The talks concern Ukrainian defence, resilience and European security. — Attributed to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. source
- confirmed Work is under way on the joint production of drones. — Reported by Reuters. source
- confirmed Russia refers to retaliatory attacks. — The Russian description is reported by AP and presented in the article as a Russian interpretation. source
Editor's note
Merz’s arrival and the planned talks have been confirmed. The possible drone agreement has not yet been worked out, and Russian characterisations of retaliatory attacks have been attributed as claims.Sources
The story so far
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 08:04 Merz travels to Kyiv with aid and drone plan
- Sunday, 4 October 2026, 10:00 Merz arrives in Kyiv for support and drone talks (this article)
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