Zelenskyy arrives in Berlin for talks with Merz on air defense and energy support ahead of US-led negotiations with Russia

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?

Military and financial support is expected to be a focus of the talks. Ukraine needs more missiles for systems such as the US-made Patriot. Germany has already supplied the Patriot systems it says it can spare without weakening its own air defenses.

"The key issues are our diplomatic coordination — with important meetings ahead — strengthening our air defence, and supporting our energy sector," Zelenskyy wrote on X.

The trip — which had been kept under wraps for security reasons — coincides with the opening of the two-day Berlin Security Conference.

Ukraine needs more missiles 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 also 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?

Around 3,400 additional police officers were deployed in Berlin for both Zelenskyy’s visit and the security conference, police said. The forum brings together European officials and defense experts, with Russia's war in Ukraine high on the agenda.

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Officers from across Germany are helping with the operation. Parts of the government district have been cordoned off, with armed officers guarding barriers and police special units deploying snipers.

Roads are also closed in western Berlin, including near the Kurfürstendamm shopping avenue.

How does the visit fit into the peace talks?

Shortly before Zelenskyy's expected arrival, US special envoy Steve Witkoff announced that 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 present in Abu Dhabi, though they are unlikely to have a seat at the negotiating table.