German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Kyiv can continue to rely on Berlin's military, civilian, and humanitarian aid. These assurances came during government talks in Berlin, a crucial moment as U.S. aid to Ukraine has seen drastic cuts and President Donald Trump pushes for a quick peace deal with Russia. “The policy says one thing. The reality says another,” Merz noted, acknowledging the shifting international landscape. Germany remains Ukraine's second-largest bilateral donor.
The German government is stepping into a larger role, particularly after recent U.S. decisions to scale back its financial commitments to Kyiv. This shift has left many in Ukraine concerned about their long-term ability to defend against ongoing Russian aggression, especially with the war on Iran diverting global attention and resources. The talks aimed to alleviate those fears.
Chancellor Merz specifically promised to advocate for the swift release of a promised €90 billion loan from the European Union to Ukraine. This significant financial package had previously been held up by Hungary. However, following Viktor Orban's election defeat in Hungary on Sunday, a disbursement should be possible by mid-May, according to sources within the German delegation.
This change in leadership removes a key obstacle. Berlin's commitment is not new; Germany has provided nearly €100 billion in support to Ukraine since the war began in 2022, as of early 2026. This extensive aid encompasses military equipment, financial assistance, technical support, and humanitarian efforts.
Germany has also welcomed well over one million Ukrainian refugees into its borders, offering them sanctuary and assistance. The nature of Germany's military assistance has changed considerably as the conflict has evolved. Early in the war, there was hesitation around delivering heavy equipment like combat tanks.
Now, those systems play a less significant role on the battlefield. Instead, combat drones have become dominant. Germany is actively supplying these drones to Ukraine.
Some are even manufactured by German companies within Ukrainian territory. Chancellor Merz stated during a government question-and-answer session in the Bundestag at the end of March that the question of sending Taurus cruise missiles, a long-debated topic, is no longer relevant. Ukraine, he asserted, can now manufacture its own long-range weapons. “Ukraine is better armed today than ever before,” Merz told lawmakers.
He added that the primary challenge for Ukraine now is a lack of funds, an area where Germany is willing to provide substantial help. Both nations intend to deepen their cooperation on drone production. Various jointly manufactured drones were prominently displayed at the entrance to the Chancellery on Monday, a tangible sign of their collaborative efforts.
This partnership is slated for further expansion, Merz confirmed. “No army in Europe has been as battle-tested in recent decades as Ukraine’s,” the German Chancellor proclaimed during Tuesday's joint press conference. “No society has become more resilient than Ukraine. No defense industry has become more innovative than Ukraine’s.” These words underscore a recognition of Ukraine’s rapid adaptation. Beyond military hardware, Germany's bilateral civilian aid, separate from contributions made through the EU, amounts to approximately €39 billion.
A primary focus of this non-military assistance is Ukraine’s energy supply, which Russia has increasingly targeted. Since the conflict began, the German government has committed over €1.2 billion specifically to the energy sector. This sum covers repairs and emergency efforts for damaged infrastructure.
German specialists are also collaborating with Ukrainian partners to rebuild energy systems, emphasizing efficiency and renewable sources. Humanitarian aid efforts are channeled through close cooperation with international and non-governmental organizations. This ensures medical care, food, clean water, and other emergency supplies reach those most in need, particularly near the front lines.
What this actually means for your family, especially those living in war-affected regions, is the availability of basic necessities that would otherwise be scarce. More than one million Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, have found refuge in Germany. The federal government provides critical support to states and municipalities for housing and caring for these individuals.
This includes direct financial aid and making federally owned buildings available as shelters. Refugees receive German language courses, training, integration programs, and assistance in finding employment. As of February 2026, roughly half of working-age Ukrainian refugees are employed, according to data from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB).
Chancellor Merz also addressed the influx of young Ukrainian men into Germany, particularly Berlin. Since September, men under 25 have been permitted to leave Ukraine, as military service and mobilization apply from that age. Thousands have registered as war refugees in Germany, receiving food, shelter, and the ability to seek work.
Merz urged President Zelenskyy to make greater efforts to encourage this group to return to Ukraine or prevent their departure. In response, German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Ukrainian Social Security Minister Denys Ulyutin opened the “Unity Hub” information center in Berlin. This hub aims to help Ukrainians return home and find housing and employment there.
Looking ahead, the German government is already planning Ukraine’s reconstruction in collaboration with Ukraine and partners across the EU and G7. The goal is to modernize the Ukrainian state and economy, with an eye toward eventual integration into the European Union. Germany fundamentally supports this aspiration. “Germany supports this goal, even though we both know that we cannot implement it fully in the short term,” Friedrich Merz stated on Tuesday in Berlin.
Ukraine had proposed January 1, 2027, as a target date. Germany, however, considers this unfeasible, partly due to skepticism from some EU member states, including the new Hungarian government, which opposes Ukraine's full EU membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his firm stance in Berlin: “We don’t need an EU ‘light’ or a NATO ‘light’.
Our army is needed as a strong army. Nobody needs a Ukrainian army ‘light’.” These words reflect Kyiv’s desire for full, unequivocal integration. Several international reconstruction conferences have already taken place, including one in Germany in 2024.
Poland will host the next Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Gdansk at the end of June 2026. Within Germany, the level and form of support for Ukraine do not have universal agreement. Resistance could grow if Germany is called upon to increase its contributions further, especially as the U.S. reduces its aid.
Resentment among the German population toward Ukrainian refugees remains relatively low, partly because they are considered well-integrated. However, criticism has surfaced regarding the higher benefits Ukrainian refugees initially received under the European Union’s “Mass Influx Directive” compared to other asylum seekers. Consequently, the coalition agreement between the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU)/Christian Social Union (CSU) and the center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) specifies that Ukrainian refugees entering Germany after April 1, 2025, will receive lower benefits.
A broad consensus on supporting Ukraine persists among most German political parties. Yet, the far-right populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the socialist Left Party hold critical views, albeit for different reasons. The Left Party claims to be Germany’s only truly pacifist party.
The AfD, parts of which are labeled extremist by domestic intelligence, seeks closer ties with Russia. They argue that Germany lacks the funds for Ukraine due to empty coffers and high national debt, and that the country needs cheap energy from Russia again. This argument gains traction amid high fuel prices caused by the war against Iran.
German officials worry the AfD could leverage this sentiment in state elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt this September. Both sides claim victory in their respective arguments; here are the numbers showing the financial commitments. This robust German commitment arrives at a crucial juncture for Ukraine.
The mid-May disbursement of the €90 billion EU loan will provide immediate financial relief. Observers will also watch the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdansk in June for new reconstruction pledges. The German state elections in September will test the AfD's ability to capitalize on public discontent over economic issues and aid spending, potentially shifting the domestic political landscape around Ukraine support.
The long-term success of the drone cooperation and the integration of Ukrainian refugees will also be key indicators of Germany's sustained resolve.
Key Takeaways
— - Germany reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine with substantial military, civilian, and humanitarian aid, totaling nearly €100 billion since 2022.
— - Chancellor Merz is advocating for a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine, now expected by mid-May following a change in Hungary's government.
— - Military aid has shifted focus from tanks to combat drones, with Germany and Ukraine deepening cooperation on joint drone production.
— - Domestic political challenges in Germany, particularly from the AfD, could influence future aid levels and refugee policies, especially with upcoming state elections.
Source: DW