Germany’s Merz in Kyiv announces $1.5B in aid, urges Putin to end war

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz carried out a surprise trip to Kyiv where he announced $1.5 billion in assistance for Ukraine, covering both military needs and reconstruction efforts. During the visit, Merz said Germany would expand cooperation on drones with Kyiv, a move he linked to giving Ukraine greater capacity to project force deeper into Russian territory. He also used the platform to publicly urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease the war.

The package announced on the visit combines immediate defense support with funding aimed at rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the conflict. Expanded drone collaboration was highlighted as a key element of the military portion of the aid, reflecting Berlin's intention to enhance Ukrainian operational capabilities. Merz's comments framed the assistance as part of sustained Western support for Ukraine.

Merz's unannounced presence in Kyiv underscored the German government's hands-on diplomatic engagement in the conflict. His direct appeal to Putin added a public political dimension to the trip, signaling Berlin's stance on ending hostilities while continuing to bolster Kyiv. Officials said the measures would strengthen cooperation between Germany and Ukraine on security and reconstruction, though no detailed breakdown of the aid components was provided in the initial announcement.

The visit and package arrive amid ongoing tensions and cross-border attacks, and mark another step in Germany's evolving role in supporting Ukraine. By pairing military assistance with reconstruction funding and intensified drone cooperation, Berlin is positioning itself to contribute both to Ukraine's immediate defense and to longer-term recovery efforts.