Germany Announces 1.3 Billion Euro Aid Package for Ukraine During Merz Visit

MOSCOW, October 4. /TASS/. Germany will provide Ukraine with another package of aid worth 1.3 billion euros, Vladimir Zelensky said after a meeting with visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

"There is another package of suppoort for Ukraine - a comprehensive package worth more than 1.3 billion euros. It includes weapons that will help us now, as well as support for our energy sector ahead of winter - an important energy package. Of course, we discussed the need for air defense systems, which is crucial now. To date, we have 15 agreements and documents, the majority of which concern cooperation in the fields of security, production, relevant procurement, our orders for German industry, and joint projects in Ukraine. The total value of our today’s agreements exceeds 8.5 billion euros," he said on his Telegram channel.

The DPA agency reported earlier that Merz and German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche arrived on an unannounced visit to Kiev on Sunday. They are accompanied by German businessmen. The agency cited government sources as saying that Merz was expected to announce the transfer to Kiev thousands of interceptor drones and plans for the production of long-range weapons for Ukraine. It is planned to allocate 1 billion euro for these purposes, and 350 million euro - to restore Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

Co-chair of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party Alice Weidel has slammed Merz’s visit to Ukraine and his promises of further assistance to Kiev, saying that Germany needs this money itself.

Commenting on Merz’s visit, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that murderers return to the scenes of their crimes.