German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged further air defense and energy support to Kyiv during talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, as Ukraine faces another winter at war with Russia.
Merz’s commitment on Tuesday follows a promise he made last month to provide additional aid to Kyiv.
“Two things are crucial before the coming winter: air defense and the energy sector,” Merz said during a press conference on Nov. 3. “We have initiated further aid for both in Kyiv, which we are now implementing. Specifically, we aim to provide further winter aid and support for energy supply this year.”
Zelenskyy told reporters that he spoke with the chancellor about this support, specifically to cover what he said was a “major shortage in air defense.” This includes supplies of the PAC-2 and PAC-3 interceptor missiles used in the Patriot system, as well as the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles.
They also discussed a new support package for the Ukrainian air force’s F-16s, he said.
The discussions come ahead of a planned meeting in Belgium on Wednesday between negotiators from Ukraine, the United States, European allies, and NATO, with the topic expected to be security guarantees for Ukraine and economic opportunities to support the country’s post-war reconstruction.
This will precede the Nov. 10–11 working-level negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi, mediated by the United States.
Zelenskyy said on Tuesday in Berlin that he anticipates that this meeting “and further such meetings will pave the way for a trilateral format at the level of heads of state and government.”
“This format can provide key solutions for a lasting, stable peace and lasting, stable security,” he said.
Zelenskyy Thanks US, Europe
While in Germany, Zelenskyy also spoke at the Berlin Security Conference, where he thanked Europe and the United States for their continued support.
“Without America, thousands and thousands more Ukrainians would have been killed by Russian strikes, and millions more would have become refugees,” he said. “That’s why we always thank America, and we mean it.”
“But we also know that without Europe, Ukraine wouldn’t have survived. Without Germany and other European countries, without the [European Union], the Russians would have burned down far more of our cities and villages, if it were not for your help, and we value this deeply,” he said.
After the address, Zelenskyy was asked whether he thought U.S. President Donald Trump can bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Zelenskyy responded that Trump has influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the United States has the influence and power to push Putin in the right direction, towards diplomacy and negotiations.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media on Tuesday that mutual security guarantees for Russia and Ukraine will be discussed in Abu Dhabi.
“The talks will cover security issues, including security guarantees. These can only be mutual,” he said, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
He also ruled out European involvement in the trilateral meeting as its format has already been agreed, saying, “That is between Russia and Ukraine with U.S. mediation.”
Peskov said Russia’s delegation will include representatives from several agencies, including the Foreign Ministry, and will be led by presidential aide Vladmir Medinsky.
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