The European Commission disbursed €1.24 billion to Ukraine on Wednesday (October 7) under the defence component of the €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan, earmarked for drones, drone interceptors, ammunition, and missiles produced by Ukrainian entities. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the payment would strengthen Ukraine’s defence industry and its ability to protect people and infrastructure. She described Russia’s ongoing attacks as a deliberate strategy intended to make daily life increasingly difficult for Ukrainians. The Ukraine Support Loan provides an indicative €60 billion for defence and €30 billion for budgetary assistance during 2026–2027. The European Commission plans to disburse €28.3 billion for Ukraine’s defence industrial capacity in 2026, with further payments under the defence component expected in the coming weeks. Funding decisions are based on Ukraine’s evolving requirements and remain subject to agreed conditions and monitoring. According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi, the latest payment brings Ukraine’s defence financing received through the programme to nearly €13 billion. He said the government would continue working with European partners to ensure the remaining planned funding is delivered on schedule and in full For the remainder of 2026, €32.5 billion in EU financial support remains available to Ukraine. This includes €28.1 billion under the Ukraine Support Loan – €15.4 billion for defence industrial capacity and €12.7 billion in budget support. A further €4.4 billion remains available through the Ukraine Facility, bringing the total budget support available for 2026 to more than €17 billion, subject to Ukraine meeting the relevant conditions. Since 2022, the EU and its member states have provided €228.7 billion in overall support to Ukraine, including €3.8 billion generated from immobilised Russian assets.

Mertz surprise visit to Kyiv, and increased German support for Ukraine, is a potential game-changer, writes Dennis Sammut, in this week's "Monday Commentary". German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, made a surprise visit to Ukraine over the weekend. He visited the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Sunday and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his "barbaric attacks" and end what he called a "senseless war." This was the fourth such visit to Ukraine by a German chancellor since the full-scale Russian invasion began in February 2022. Merz visit to Kyiv this weekend came at a very significant moment, and was full of symbolism, but not only. It was very significant also in terms of content. Merz arrived in Kyiv by train early on Sunday morning, accompanied by the German Economy Minister and a delegation of leading figures from German business, including executives from Siemens Energy, Hensoldt, Diehl Defence and Quantum Systems. "If Russia is not stopped, it will turn its war machine against us sooner or later," Merz said upon arrival. During the visit of the German Chancellor air raid sirens blared across the Ukrainian capital throughout the morning, as Kyiv's mayor announced one of the city's bridges had been hit by a Russian drone. Sunday's visit comes just days after Merz had assured Ukraine of Germany's support, despite isolated resistance and criticism at home. Merz said earlier  'If Germany wavers, Europe wavers;  if Europe wavers, Ukraine wavers” The German broadcaster Deutche Welle said that  “Germany remains Ukraine's most important backer, both militarily and financially, but state elections in September saw significant gains for parties at both ends of the political spectrum who are critical of expenditure on Ukraine: the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the socialist Left Party in Berlin.” Speaking before his visit to Ukraine, Merz called out in particular "the AfD and their Russian backers" and promised Ukraine that Germany would not be divided.” Merz visit and Germany’s stronger support is a game-changer The visit of the German Chancellor to Ukraine this weekend came  at crucial moment for Ukraine and for Europe. Germany's strong and tangible support for Ukraine can be a game-changer, (click image to read the Commentary in full)

Government forces in Ethiopia, have taken control of the town of Mekelle, capital of the Tigray region. Earlier, Ethiopia's federal military said it had recaptured the main airport in the capital of the northern Tigray region, dealing a major setback to an ​opposition alliance in its stronghold. Clashes pitting a rebel alliance led by Tigray's ruling party ‌against the government and its allied forces broke out in northern Ethiopia last week, in the most serious escalation of violence since a 2020-2022 civil war. The fighting has stoked fears that it could escalate into a wider regional conflict, potentially drawing in neighbouring ​countries in the Horn of Africa and the Gulf. In recent days Ethiopia and Eritrea broke off diplomatic relations amid mutual accusations. In Washington, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott ​said the United States strongly urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to "exercise maximum restraint and return ⁠to dialogue and cooperation as agreed in their 2018 peace framework." "The Horn of Africa cannot sustain another ​military conflict and humanitarian crisis," Pigott said. "A conflict jeopardizes ongoing U.S. collaboration on shared interests with both countries." The ​federal government in Addis Ababa accused Eritrea of supporting the rebel alliance alongside Sudan and Egypt. The three countries deny this. Troops from the Ethiopian National Defence Forces had regained control of Alula Aba ​Nega Airport in Tigray's capital Mekelle,   A Mekelle resident who asked not to be named for security reasons, confirmed the ‌taking of ⁠the airport by government forces and added they could hear gunfire outside the city centre. This source said they had seen some Tigrayan Defence Force fighters abandoning their posts and heading home, and that there was looting of government facilities taking place in the city. Mekelle's airport, which ​is around 10 km (6 miles) from the centre of the city, was ​one of three ⁠airports in the region that were seized by the opposition forces at the start of the fighting on September 23. The taking of Mekelle by government forces would be a major setback for the opposition alliance, although analysts say ⁠it ​would be unlikely to end the conflict. In 2020, federal forces captured ​Mekelle within the first month of the two year war before the TPLF reclaimed it seven months later.