Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was expected in Berlin on Tuesday, November 3, for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who announced the visit at an event hosted by the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting was expected around midday. It had not been publicized in advance for security reasons, according to DW.
Military assistance is expected to be among the central issues. Ukraine is seeking more missiles for air-defense systems, including the US-made Patriot. Germany has said it has supplied the Patriot systems it can spare without weakening its own air defenses.
Funding is also likely to be discussed. Kyiv has put its additional financial needs for 2027 at €70 billion. That is a Ukrainian request, not a new EU commitment; the European Commission has been asked to examine financing options, according to its October 19 briefing.
Planned diplomatic talks later in November
The Berlin meeting comes as diplomatic contacts are being planned. US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that advisers from Ukraine, Russia and the United States were due to meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11. The planned discussions are to cover postwar security, steps to reduce tensions and humanitarian aid.
US envoys were also expected to meet European and NATO representatives in Brussels that week to discuss security guarantees and reconstruction. European representatives were expected to be present in Abu Dhabi, but not to take part directly in the negotiations, according to the report.
Germany also planned to host a gathering of countries supporting Ukraine later in November to discuss further assistance ahead of winter. No new aid agreement or funding decision was announced as part of Merz’s announcement of the Berlin visit.
Nicole French