Merz Pledges $1.5B to Ukraine, Expands Drone Cooperation — SkimNews
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- Friedrich Merz made a surprise visit to Kyiv on October 4, 2026, announcing $1.5 billion in combined military and reconstruction aid for Ukraine.
- Germany and Ukraine expanded their drone cooperation, a move the source says will give Kyiv greater capability to strike deeper inside Russia.
- Merz used the visit to directly urge Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
Why it matters: The $1.5 billion package pairs immediate combat capability — drones for strikes beyond the front lines — with longer-term reconstruction funding, meaning Germany is funding both Ukraine's ability to hit targets inside Russia and its post-war rebuilding on the same trip. Merz coupling the aid announcement with a direct call for Putin to end the war turns the visit into a material commitment backed by a political pressure point.
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