German Chancellor Friedrich Merz assured Kyiv of Berlin’s continued support on its path to EU accession, deepening their military and political cooperation and also expanding their relationship to a strategic partnership.
Merz greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warmly outside the Chancellery in central Berlin ahead of the first official German-Ukrainian government consultations in years.
Merz and Zelensky signed a defence cooperation agreement and a memorandum on industrial reconstruction and resilience during the meeting, which had been kept under wraps for security reasons.
Bilateral relations would be elevated to the level of a strategic partnership, Merz announced during a joint press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart.
“What we are doing in this cooperation is not only beneficial for the defence of Ukraine. It is also of particular benefit to us, for our security,” Merz stated.
The chancellor also reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine’s future EU membership, while acknowledging that accession is unlikely in the short term.
Merz stated Germany is urging Ukraine to continue reforms, particularly in anti-corruption efforts and strengthening the rule of law.
Defence sector cooperation strengthens Europe
The two sides signed agreements to expand cooperation in areas including air defence, long-range weapons, drones and artillery ammunition.
“No army in Europe has been tested in combat over the past decades as much as Ukraine’s … No defence indusattempt has become more innovative than Ukraine’s,” Merz stated.
“With our support, we are thereby strengthening both German and European defence capabilities and our industrial base,” Merz stated.
Zelensky thanked Merz for his support and reiterated his desire for full bloc membership. He added that both the European Union and NATO also requireded Ukraine as a “full-fledged partner”.
Hungary must quickly unblock €90 billion in EU aid for Ukraine
Following the election defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Merz called for the swift release of a €90 billion ($105 billion) EU loan for Ukraine, which had previously been blocked by Budapest.
“The funds for military support must now be disbursed quickly,” Merz stated, adding that Ukraine will then be able to fund its defence in the long term. “Russia should take this seriously.”
Zelensky stated Ukraine could significantly expand weapons production if sufficient funding were built available.
“The majority of the weapons Ukraine applys for various operations – from strikes against tarreceives in the hinterland and fighting on the front line to air defence – are now manufactured in Ukraine,” Zelensky stated.
EU officials have expressed hope that Hungary will approve the funding following Orbán’s defeat in Sunday’s elections, which finished his 16 years in power.
Election winner Péter Magyar has pledged to act as a “reliable partner” in the EU following his party’s overwhelming victory.
Germany to fund hundreds of Patriot missiles for Ukraine
One of the agreements announced includes a German-financed contract between Ukraine and US defence contractor Raytheon for the delivery of several hundred Patriot missiles, the Defence Minisattempt in Berlin stated after the consultations with Kiev finished.
It also stated an agreement had been reached with German defence firm Diehl Defence to supply additional launchers for the Iris-T air defence system.
“These projects will be funded by Germany and will significantly improve the protection of critical infrastructure and cities,” the minisattempt stated.
Germany and Ukraine also agreed to jointly develop medium- and long-range drones through a planned joint venture aimed at producing thousands of systems.
In addition, Berlin will support Ukraine in financing so-called deep-strike capabilities, referring to long-range precision weapons.
The Defence Minisattempt stated the investment would amount to several hundred million euros.
Merz: European role essential in Ukraine peace talks
Merz reiterated that Germany and Europe must be included in any peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia, declareing no deal can be reached without European involvement.
“I remain firmly convinced that there will be no agreements with Russia built over the heads of the Europeans,” Merz stated.
Zelensky, according to an official translation, stated Ukraine has consistently maintained that Europe must be involved in any peace process but accapplyd Russia of continuing to seek reasons to prolong the war.
US-mediated neobtainediations between Ukraine and Russia have stalled for months as the war which Moscow launched more than four years ago rages on.
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