Kyiv, Ukraine — Germany will help Ukraine accelerate domestic weapons production to bolster its position in ongoing but stalled peace efforts with Russia, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced Monday during a high-level visit to Kyiv alongside defense industry leaders.
“We see our task as helping Ukraine so that it can negotiate more strongly,” Wadephul said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The initiative includes the establishment of joint ventures aimed at rapidly increasing Ukraine’s arms manufacturing capabilities, as the country faces mounting pressure on the front lines and surging aerial attacks from Russia.
RELATED NEWS : Massive Rally in Belgrade Demands Early Elections Amid Mounting Pressure on Serbian President Vucic
Wadephul emphasized that the initiative is not just about delivering equipment but forging long-term, mutually beneficial defense ties. “Our arms cooperation is a real trump card. With your experience and ingenuity, we will both become stronger,” he said.
The visit comes less than 48 hours after Russia launched its largest aerial assault to date, deploying 107 drones overnight, according to Ukraine’s air force. Devastating strikes in the northeastern Kharkiv region killed two civilians and wounded eight others, including a child.
Wadephul harshly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s posture on peace, calling it a “façade” and accusing him of using peace rhetoric as a smokescreen for continued aggression. “When Putin speaks of peace today, it is pure mockery,” he said.
Ukraine continues to endure a brutal war of attrition along its 1,000-kilometer front, with Russian forces intensifying attacks on civilian areas. The Institute for the Study of War noted that Russia is using increasing numbers of Shahed drones and decoys to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and pave the way for missile strikes.
Germany has already been Ukraine’s second-largest military supporter after the United States. However, with U.S. aid facing political uncertainty, Berlin’s role has taken on greater urgency. Kyiv has pressed for more air defense systems, which Ukrainian officials say are key to protecting civilians and preventing panic.
Sybiha reiterated Ukraine’s urgent need for more anti-missile systems and thanked Berlin for its current contributions. “They are attacking civilian targets to influence public sentiment. The key is air defense,” he stressed.
While Germany has resisted sending Taurus long-range missiles over fears of escalating the war, Chancellor Friedrich Merz has pledged to help Ukraine develop its own long-range capabilities without Western-imposed restrictions — a potential turning point in Ukraine’s strategic autonomy.
Wadephul is also expected to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his visit, as Ukraine looks to reinforce international partnerships amid worsening battlefield conditions and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
SOURCE : APNEWS | Follow Us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Youtube |
