Merz announced another 1-bln-euro military aid package for Ukraine

During his visit to Kiev, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a new package of military aid for Ukraine worth around 1 billion euros, which will include long-range weapons and strike drones, as well as a further 350 million euros to support the energy sector.

"We are launching the next tranche of military aid, worth around 1 billion euros. We are providing funding for the joint production of drones designed to intercept jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles," he told a news conference aired by the Phoenix television channel.

He noted "considerable technical progress" on this track in recent weeks. "We are supplying long-range weapons, strike drones and satellite equipment to enable Ukraine to combat Russian launchers," he said.

"Ahead of winter, we are providing energy aid totaling 350 million euros - for generators, transformer substations and necessary repair works," Merz said, adding that the winter is going to be very difficult.