Germany will continue helping Ukraine secure energy supplies as winter approaches, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said after meeting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin on Tuesday. Merz also warned that Russian attacks in the Black Sea risked widening the conflict and worsening food insecurity in vulnerable countries.
The November 3 meeting came a week before the next round of US-mediated contacts between Russia and Ukraine, scheduled for November 10–11 in Abu Dhabi. Merz presented the talks in Berlin as a sign of continued German backing for Kyiv and stressed the importance of stronger European security cooperation.
Reuters reported that Merz linked the danger in the Black Sea to a wider food crisis, arguing that further escalation could hit poorer nations particularly hard. Disruption to shipping and trade through the region would carry consequences well beyond the immediate conflict zone.
Germany has become Ukraine’s largest supporter since Washington withdrew its financial assistance. Berlin’s pledge covers continued backing for Kyiv as well as help with energy supplies during the winter months, when attacks on infrastructure could place additional pressure on the country.
The forthcoming diplomatic round is expected to address steps towards ending the war, post-war security arrangements and de-escalation, according to Reuters.
