MERZ GOES TO KYIV UNDER PRESSURE—BUT UKRAINE MAY OFFER HIM A WAY FORWARD
There is a reason Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv at this particular moment.
The German chancellor is facing collapsing approval ratings, damaging regional election defeats and growing doubt over whether he will remain in office until Germany’s next federal election. There is no formal attempt to remove him yet, but Merz urgently needs something concrete to bring home.
This time, he did not travel alone. Merz arrived with Economy Minister Katherina Reiche and representatives of ten German defense and energy companies—a delegation designed around production, contracts and long-term industrial cooperation.
Germany is releasing €1 billion for Ukraine’s defense, including interceptor drones and longer-range weapons, alongside another €350 million to repair energy infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks.
But this is no longer simply Germany giving and Ukraine receiving. Merz wants more assistance routed through German industry, creating new orders, expanding production capacity and supporting jobs and tax revenue at home. Ukraine receives weapons and energy support; Germany strengthens its defense sector and gains access to Ukrainian technology and battlefield experience that cannot be reproduced in a laboratory.
Merz is not merely trying to remain in power so he can help Ukraine. Supporting Ukraine may now be part of how he demonstrates that his government can create jobs, revive German industry and protect Europe.
Ukraine needs Germany’s manufacturing strength—but Germany increasingly needs Ukraine’s innovation, experience and understanding of modern warfare. This partnership may help defend Ukraine today while rebuilding Germany’s ability to defend itself tomorrow.