Merkel-style talks aim to boost Ukraine's air-defence amid looming winter

German Chancellor Olaf Merkel, speaking alongside Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Berlin, said he is personally contacting a broad range of world leaders to obtain extra air-defence deliveries for Ukraine, a sector he called the most exposed. He emphasized that strengthening Ukraine’s air-defence is crucial before the harsh winter and for maintaining energy supplies. Merkel added that Germany is holding intensive consultations with European allies and will raise the issue at the upcoming European Council meeting in Brussels on 15-16 October.

He also highlighted discussions on direct budget assistance for Kyiv and warned that Russia will keep targeting civilian infrastructure. Merkel reiterated that Europe’s overall security depends on Ukraine’s ability to resist aggression.