Speech by Federal Chancellor Merz at the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum
At the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum, Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised the importance of a free and sovereign Ukraine for Europe. He sees it as a central task to support the country. The forum is more "than just an economic conference".
Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised that Germany would not let up in its support for Ukraine, and would instead step up its efforts.
Photo: Federal Government/Christina Czybik
At the 8th German-Ukrainian Economic Forum in Berlin, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasised the importance of a free and sovereign Ukraine for Europe: "The fate of Ukraine is the fate of the whole of Europe". This is another reason why it is important to further expand support and economic exchange, including on Ukraine's path to the European single market. He took part together with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The most important points in brief:
- Help with energy supply: Federal Chancellor Merz emphasised that Germany would not let up in its support for Ukraine, and would instead step up its efforts. The Federal Government will provide 170 million euros "immediately and now" to help with Ukraine's energy supply "to alleviate the effects of Russian terror". The funds could be used to give schools, kindergartens and hospitals "access to heat, electricity and running water" again.
- Step up economic cooperation: The Federal Government wants to ensure that the "great potential of private sector involvement can be utilised even better" – despite the extremely difficult circumstances. It is setting the course for this with a ten-point programme, for example with a representative office for Ukrainian business and industry in Berlin and the start of production in Germany of various drones developed in Ukraine from 2026.
- New financing models: Federal Chancellor Merz once again spoke out in favour of making the Russian state assets held in the European Union available to Ukraine. According to the Federal Chancellor, this is "a key question of our ability to act in the European Union". The new financing instrument "UkraineConnect", presented by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Reiche, will also support the reconstruction of Ukraine with private funds.
The Economic Forum will take place for the 8th time in 2025 at the invitation of the DIHK--German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce Abroad and the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, this time under the motto "Resilience in Action – Partnership in Progress". Federal Chancellor Merz and President Zelenskyy were joined by German and Ukrainian ministers and decision-makers from the business world.
Read the transcript of the speech here (in German only):