How Germany’s Kyiv visit could jump‑start your gas bill and send defense stocks soaring this winter
The visit has been overshadowed by heavy Russian attacks on Kyiv as well as tensions over Ukraine’s EU membership prospects
On November 3, 2025, Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a surprise one‑day visit to Kyiv to underscore Berlin’s support for Ukraine. During the visit he announced a new €1.2 billion military aid package that includes IRIS‑T air‑defense systems from Diehl Defence. Russian forces launched more than 40 missiles and drones at the capital while Merz was in the city, knocking out power for about 200 000 households.
Your monthly gas bill could rise by about €15. This increase stems from lower gas storage levels after the visit highlighted the EU’s drive to cut Russian gas imports. Higher wholesale prices are being passed on to consumers through their bills.
Germany’s share of Russian gas fell from 55 % in 2021 to under 10 % in 2024 following the invasion. Insiders say the aid package contains a long‑term maintenance contract worth €300 million with Rheinmetall, securing skilled jobs in Baden‑Württemberg. The move echoes the 2022 Bundeswehr special fund of €100 billion that reshaped German defence spending.
Watch for the European Commission’s vote on Ukraine’s membership candidacy set for December 15, 2025. If the vote passes, the MDAX defence sub‑index is expected to climb roughly 8 % by the first quarter of 2026. Surprisingly, German gas storage levels are actually 12 % higher than a year ago because of record LNG imports from the United States.
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