Zelensky in Berlin to discuss air defences, energy support and further aid with Merz

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Berlin on November 3, 2026, for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz focused on bolstering military and financial backing, strengthening air defences and shoring up Ukraine's energy sector ahead of winter.

Agenda and requests

Kyiv is pressing for more interceptor missiles for systems such as the US-made Patriot. Germany has already supplied Patriot batteries and says it can reallocate some systems without undermining its own air-defence capability. Zelensky underscored the priorities in a post on platform X: "Key issues are our diplomatic coordination, ahead of important meetings, strengthening our air defence and support for our energy sector," he wrote.

The visit comes days before planned talks between Ukrainian and Russian advisers in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11 under US auspices. In October Zelensky told EU leaders that Ukraine would need an additional €70 billion next year, and Germany intends to host a donor summit in mid-November to discuss further assistance before winter.

Hours before Zelensky's arrival, Russia launched a large overnight strike on Ukraine with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. Regional prosecutors reported that an attack on a hospital in Kharkiv left at least 73 people wounded and forced the transfer of 226 patients to other hospitals.

Berlin has tightened security for the visit and the concurrent two-day Berlin Security Conference. Authorities deployed roughly 3,400 extra police officers, closed parts of the government quarter and sealed off roads in western Berlin. Armed police are guarding barriers while special units have posted snipers.

German officials expect European representatives to attend the Abu Dhabi meetings, although it is unlikely that European actors will secure a direct seat at the negotiating table, and Washington will remain the primary facilitator of those talks.

Photo: Volodimir Zelenski, arhivska fotografija]