Europe is capable of sustaining Ukraine's resistance against Russia, even if the United States were to decide to completely halt its military support to Kyiv, the senior military official in charge of coordinating Germany's arms supplies told Reuters.

Tariffs, defence and Ukraine are on the agenda for Merz's trip, as leader of the EU’s largest economy.

Germany, under Chancellor Friedrich Merz, has confirmed it will provide Ukraine with a new €5 billion military aid package that includes long-range Taurus KEPD 350 air-launched cruise missiles, with transfers planned for this year.