Germany Will Keep Backing Ukraine on Air Defense and Energy, Says Merz at Joint Press Conference With Zelenskyy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Germany will persist in backing Ukraine, specifically focusing on air defense and energy, during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to UATV English. Merz emphasized that no German firms have abandoned Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, and highlighted the importance of the continent's security hinging on the outcome of the conflict.

He also proposed that the local ceasefire in Oleshky could set an example for agreements aimed at ceasing attacks in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure. The Oleshky ceasefire, as reported by Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets, endured for nearly six days and included a humanitarian mission for aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians from the Kherson region, which was under Russian occupation.

Zelenskyy has expressed the hope that the goal of an upcoming trilateral meeting in November will be an energy truce or a cease-fire in the Black Sea. Prior to this conference, Berlin and Kyiv had signed 15 agreements valued at over €8.5 billion, along with a new German aid package totaling more than €1.3 billion.