Germany and Ukraine upgrade relations to ‘strategic partnership’

Germany and Ukraine agreed on Tuesday to deepen their military and political cooperation, upgrading their relationship to a strategic partnership with Chancellor Friedrich Merz also assuring Kiev of Berlin’s continued support on its path to EU accession.

Merz greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warmly outside the Chancellery in central Berlin ahead of the first official German-Ukrainian government consultations in 20 years.

On the sidelines of the meeting, both leaders along with several ministers from both sides signed a number of agreements, including agreements in the defence sector and economic collaboration.

During the consultations, which were kept under wraps for security reasons, the states signed a 15-page joint declaration which states: “Our friendship and the ties between our societies are deeper than ever before.”

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 said.

The chancellor also reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine’s future EU membership, while acknowledging that accession is unlikely in the short term.

Merz said 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 industry has become more innovative than Ukraine’s,” Merz said.

“With our support, we are thereby strengthening both German and European defence capabilities and our industrial base,” Merz said.

Zelensky thanked Merz for his support and reiterated his desire for full bloc membership. He added that both the European Union and NATO also needed 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 said, adding that Ukraine will then be able to fund its defence in the long term. “Russia should take this seriously.”

Zelensky said Ukraine could significantly expand weapons production if sufficient funding were made available.

“The majority of the weapons Ukraine uses for various operations – from strikes against targets in the hinterland and fighting on the front line to air defence – are now manufactured in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

EU officials have expressed hope that Hungary will approve the funding following Orbán’s defeat in Sunday’s elections, which ended 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 Ministry in Berlin said after the consultations with Kiev ended.

It also said 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 ministry said.

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 Ministry said the investment would amount to several hundred million euros.

First intergovernmental consultations since 2004

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago, President Zelensky has travelled to Berlin on numerous occasions.

However, this visit marks a new dimension in bilateral relations. For the first time, the Ukrainian president was accompanied by a large delegation of ministers for joint intergovernmental consultations.

On the German side, such consultations are typically reserved for close partners such as France, Poland and Italy, or for strategically significant countries including China, Brazil and India.

Similar government-to-government meetings between Germany and Ukraine last took place between 1998 and 2004 before being discontinued.

Their revival is intended to signal a new level of partnership that has steadily deepened since Russia’s invasion.

At the same time, the gradual reduction of US support for Ukraine has further elevated Germany’s role as the country’s most important European backer.