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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin on Tuesday for talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on strengthening support for Ukraine.
Kyiv is seeking more air defense missiles to intercept Russian ballistic strikes and support for its energy sector ahead of winter. The visit comes a week before US-led talks with Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi.
What is on the agenda in Berlin?
“The key issues are our diplomatic coordination — with important meetings ahead — strengthening our air defence, and supporting our energy sector,” Zelenskyy wrote on X.
His visit came hours after Russia launched a large overnight attack on Ukraine using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones. At least 73 people were injured in a strike on a hospital in the eastern city of Kharkiv, regional prosecutors said. They said 226 patients had to be transferred to other hospitals.
Ukraine needs more interceptors for air defense systems such as the US-made Patriot. Germany, one of Ukraine’s biggest military, financial and humanitarian supporters, has already supplied the Patriot systems it says it can spare without weakening its own defenses.
Zelenskyy told EU leaders in October that Ukraine would need an additional €70 billion ($78 billion) from European governments next year. Germany plans to host a summit of countries backing Ukraine in mid-November to discuss further support ahead of winter.
How has Berlin stepped up security?
The visit coincides with the opening of the two-day Berlin Security Conference, which brings together European officials and defense experts. Russia’s war in Ukraine is high on the agenda.
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Police said about 3,400 additional officers were deployed for the visit and the conference, with reinforcements from across Germany.
Armed officers guarded barriers around parts of the government district, and special police units deployed snipers. Roads were also closed in western Berlin, including near the Kurfürstendamm shopping avenue.
How does the visit fit into the peace talks?
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said advisers from Ukraine, Russia and the United States would meet in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11 to discuss postwar security, steps to reduce tensions and humanitarian aid.
US envoys are due to discuss security guarantees and reconstruction with European and NATO representatives in Brussels this week. Berlin expects European representatives to be in Abu Dhabi, though they are unlikely to have a seat at the negotiating table.
