Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin for talks with Merz on air defense and energy support ahead of US-led negotiations with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Tuesday for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on strengthening support for Ukraine.
The visit comes a week before US-led talks with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi. Kyiv is seeking more air defense missiles to intercept Russian ballistic strikes and support for its energy sector ahead of winter. Zelenskyy's trip had been kept under wraps for security reasons and coincides with the opening of the two-day Berlin Security Conference.
Military and financial support is expected to be a focus of the talks. Ukraine needs more missiles for systems such as the US-made Patriot. Germany has already supplied the Patriot systems it says it can spare without weakening its own air defenses.
The key issues are our diplomatic coordination — with important meetings ahead — strengthening our air defence, and supporting our energy sector.
Russian Attack
Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin hours after Russia launched a large overnight attack on Ukraine using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. At least 73 people were injured in a strike on a hospital in the eastern city of Kharkiv, regional prosecutors said. They said 226 patients had to be transferred to other hospitals.
Berlin Security
Around 3,400 additional police officers were deployed in Berlin for both Zelenskyy's visit and the security conference. Parts of the government district have been cordoned off, with armed officers guarding barriers and police special units deploying snipers. Roads are also closed in western Berlin, including near the Kurfürstendamm shopping avenue.
Peace Talks Context
Shortly before Zelenskyy's expected arrival, US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that advisers from Ukraine, Russia and the United States would meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11 to discuss postwar security, steps to reduce tensions and humanitarian aid. US envoys are due to discuss security guarantees and reconstruction with European and NATO representatives in Brussels this week.
Berlin expects European representatives to be present in Abu Dhabi, though they are unlikely to have a seat at the negotiating table. Zelenskyy told EU leaders in October that Ukraine would need an additional €70 billion ($78 billion) from European governments next year. Germany also plans to host a summit of countries backing Ukraine in mid-November to discuss further support ahead of winter.
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