German Chancellor Friedrich Merz promised Ukraine more air defense and energy support before winter at a Berlin press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week, but announced no new weapons package. Merz said "two things are important before the coming winter: air defense and the energy sector," in the Chancellery's transcript (translated from the German).
As Ukraine's largest supporter, Germany bears a responsibility, because the outcome of the war will also shape the security of Europe. "Our support for Ukraine is therefore in the German and European interest," Merz emphasized. The message to Russia is: " It is time to end this war."
Zelenskyy named what Kyiv is short of: PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot system, IRIS-T systems, and a new support package for Ukraine's F-16 fleet. He described a major shortage in air defense.
Merz put the weight on partners paying what they have already pledged. He said NATO members agreed on 70 billion euros of military support for Ukraine in 2026 and that every one of them has to meet that figure.
He also pointed to the regional ceasefire at Oleshky as a possible model for a ceasefire on energy and in the Black Sea. Zelenskyy said Russia answered that pause with fresh attacks.
On the diplomacy, Merz said Russia must negotiate a ceasefire and peace deal in earnest, and added "I do not see that so far." Zelenskyy said the United States and Russia cannot decide whether Ukraine joins the European Union, and listed his asks for the next round: an energy ceasefire, Black Sea shipping, prisoner exchanges and a leaders' meeting with Europe at the table.
Moscow is shutting that door.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that the Abu Dhabi talks, set for Nov. 10 and 11 with U.S. mediation, will cover security guarantees, and "These can only be mutual," he said, according to TASS. Russia's delegation will include several agencies, the Foreign Ministry among them, and will be led by Vladimir Medinsky.
Peskov ruled out European participation because the trilateral format has already been agreed. He said Russia will eventually have to discuss a European security system with European countries, but that it is unclear who would speak for Europe, and he criticized how slowly Europeans are choosing negotiators.
Next on Merz's calendar is a Coalition of the Willing summit in Berlin on Nov. 19, co-hosted with France and the United Kingdom. He gave it three goals: coordinating more aid for Ukraine, reaffirming readiness for security guarantees after a ceasefire, and aligning diplomatic efforts. A German-Ukrainian business forum follows in Berlin on Nov. 20.