German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Wednesday that Berlin and Kyiv will work together to build new long-range weapons that can strike deep inside Russian territory.
Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, the chancellor said the production of new long-range weapons will take place in both Ukraine and Germany. Mr. Merz said the deal is the “beginning of a new form of military-industrial cooperation between our countries that has great potential.”
“Our defense ministers will sign a memorandum of understanding today regarding the procurement of Ukrainian-made long-range weapons systems,” Mr. Merz said at a press conference. “There will be no range restrictions, allowing Ukraine to fully defend itself, even against military targets outside its own territory.”
Mr. Merz did not say what defense manufacturers would be involved in the deal.
The dual production deal includes an additional $5.65 billion aid package. Mr. Merz added that the aid package comes after Moscow launched what he called the “most severe” drone attack since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“We will continue our military support and we will expand it,” Mr. Merz said Wednesday.
Before Mr. Merz’s remarks, Mr. Zelenskyy said that Germany and Ukraine would sign a deal aimed at improving defense sector investments but did not go into further detail.
Last week, Mr. Zelenskyy said his nation needs around $30 billion more in economic investment to boost drone, interceptor and missile production. He said Ukraine needs the funding to remain competitive with Russia, which Mr. Zelenskyy said is looking to produce upwards of 350 drones daily.
The new deal comes after Mr. Merz said on Monday that Ukraine’s western allies would no longer place restrictions on long-range weapons provided to Ukraine. The policy shift could allow Kyiv to more easily strike at military targets within Russian territory.
He did not confirm on Wednesday if it would supply Ukraine with its Taurus long-range cruise missiles. He had advocated for the transfer of the missiles to Ukraine during his time as opposition leader, but the suggestion was shot down by then-Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Mr. Merz added on Monday that Germany would no longer publish the full details of its weapons transfers to Ukraine to maintain “strategic ambiguity.”
Russian leaders blasted the policy change this week, calling the removal of limits on long-range weapons dangerous. European leaders have opposed sending long-range weapons to Ukraine in the past over fears that it would escalate the conflict.
Wednesday’s talks come after Russian authorities claimed to have shot down nearly 300 Ukrainian-launched drones overnight. Russia says that the attacks covered 13 regions but did not report any casualties.
Russia launched a strike on Tuesday night, firing five Iskander ballistic missiles, a guided air-launched missile and 88 drones, according to Ukraine’s air force. Kyiv reported no casualties as a result of the strike and said the strikes did minimal damage to civilian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Russian and Ukrainian troops continue to fight along the massive front line this week, while world leaders remain skeptical over ongoing peace negotiations. Russia and Ukraine held their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the war earlier this month in Turkey and conducted a prisoner exchange last week.
Still, Russia carried out what Ukrainian leaders have called the largest drone attack since the start of the war over the weekend and captured several border towns this week.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.