Zelenskyy to make undisclosed Berlin visit as Ukraine seeks stronger European backing

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Berlin on Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced, in a trip whose details were kept confidential until shortly before his arrival for security reasons. Merz’s announcement was included in a Deutsche Welle roundup of German news on November 3, 2026. The report did not specify how long Zelenskyy would remain in the capital, whom he would meet beyond the chancellor, or what agreements might be discussed.

The visit comes as Ukraine is seeking greater help from European allies to defend itself against Russia’s invasion. According to DW, Zelenskyy has been pressing European governments for additional assistance while US support is described in the report as becoming increasingly unreliable. The announcement places Ukraine at the centre of political and security attention in Berlin.

DW’s roundup was headlined around Ukraine’s focus at the Berlin Security Conference, but the supplied material does not provide details of any speech, conference appearance or specific security commitment linked to Zelenskyy’s visit. Merz, who leads Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union, has not publicly set out in the report what further assistance Germany might offer during the visit. Nor does the material indicate whether the talks will address weapons, financial support, diplomacy or another aspect of the war.

The timing also coincides with domestic debates that are occupying the German government. Merz said a bill intended to prevent the public takeover of large private housing companies in Berlin was complete, although the precise level of compensation remained unresolved. That issue is separate from the Ukrainian president’s visit.

The chancellor’s announcement was made as Ukraine continues to rely on European governments for backing against Russia. DW identified the security rationale for withholding news of the trip in advance, but supplied no further information about the threat assessment or the arrangements surrounding Zelenskyy’s movement in Germany. The visit therefore represents a significant diplomatic signal, but its practical outcome remains unclear from the reports.

The available account confirms Zelenskyy’s planned presence in Berlin and the broader demand for stronger European support, while leaving the agenda and any possible announcements open.