German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has promised Ukraine further support for its defence against the Russian invasion during a meeting with allies at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
Merz stressed “that Germany as the current largest supporter of Ukraine will continue to be reliable,” according to government sources.
The bilateral talks focussed on the current situation on the ground and the state of peace talks mediated by the US.
Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also discussed arms cooperation and civilian aid for Ukraine, the sources said.
The meeting was followed by wider talks that included French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk among other European leaders and EU and NATO officials.
They agreed to launch new efforts to help alleviate the consequences of ongoing Russian airstrikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the sources said.
Zelesenky confirmed that the talks focussed on the “energy sector and our reconstruction.”
“Ukraine will prepare and send partners a list of needs to support our energy infrastructure and military capabilities,” he wrote on X after the meeting. “Attention was also given to security guarantees for Ukraine and all of Europe.”