Mertz from the heart of Kyiv: We will continue to help you

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kiev on Sunday, accompanied by CEOs of German defense companies, in a gesture of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities escalate. Mertz said, "I traveled to Kiev today because Ukraine needs all our support in the coming weeks," noting that Russian forces are bombing towns, residential buildings, and heating plants. He continued, "I will tell President Zelensky today: You can continue to count on our help."

He also added, "If Russia is not stopped, its war machine will turn against us sooner or later."

Meanwhile, German government officials revealed that Meretz will announce a package of measures that includes providing one billion euros in military aid and 350 million euros for reforms in the energy sector.

They also pointed out that the visit is also expected to finalize an agreement for the joint production of different types of drones, according to Reuters.

Meretz is also expected to urge the Ukrainian government to make progress on the reforms requested by European Union partners, including the fight against corruption.

It is also expected that much of the focus will be on the rapid production of anti-jet drones, which Quantum, a German defense technology company, has successfully tested. Since the summer, Russia has been using dozens of high-speed jet attack drones daily to target civilian and military infrastructure.

Zelensky clarified on Wednesday, after a phone call with Meretz, that Ukraine would soon finalize the agreement with Germany to produce drones, missiles and related software.

It is noteworthy that Quantum and the Ukrainian company WYY Drones announced last April the establishment of Quantum WYY Industries, a joint venture to produce the Strela interceptor drone and related air defense technologies.

The agreement also included the joint development and production of weapons with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers that Ukraine can use to launch attacks deep into Russia.