German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged further help for Ukraine as Russian attacks on energy infrastructure threaten to make the coming winter especially difficult. Speaking after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, Merz said Germany would continue its support until the war ends.

The additional winter assistance is expected to total €200 million, according to information from the dpa news agency. The package would include €100 million from the Foreign Office budget and €100 million allocated through development policy. Merz said helping Ukraine was also in Germany’s own interest, arguing that the outcome of the war would shape European security for a long time. He also thanked German businesses for their support, saying no company had left Ukraine since the war began.

Merz urged other European countries to share responsibility for supporting Ukraine. NATO members have agreed to provide €70 billion in military assistance to Ukraine in 2026, he said, adding that all partners must fulfil that commitment. Berlin is due to host a meeting of countries in the “Coalition of the Willing” on November 19, where leaders are expected to discuss the level of support for 2027, particularly military aid.

The chancellor said he had seen no sign that Russia was seriously willing to negotiate. He called for Moscow to engage in genuine talks on a ceasefire and a subsequent peace agreement, while saying Ukraine’s supporters were pursuing diplomatic efforts to end the war.

Merz also said that if Russian President Vladimir Putin accepts US President Donald Trump’s invitation to the G20 summit in Florida, Ukraine should be the first subject discussed and Zelenskyy should be present. He condemned recent Russian attacks on cargo ships in the Black Sea, saying they risked provoking a global food crisis at the expense of the world’s poorest countries.

Separately, representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11, according to US statements. The talks are set to cover postwar security arrangements, de-escalation, humanitarian measures and further steps toward peace. US negotiators are also due to meet European and NATO representatives in Brussels this week, with European involvement in direct talks with Russia among the issues under discussion.

Sources: Tagesschau.