Germany and Ukraine aim to expand cooperation

Berlin (dpa) – Germany is further expanding its military and political cooperation with Ukraine, which is defending itself against Russia. This was agreed yesterday by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at German–Ukrainian government consultations in Berlin. 

A cooperation agreement on defence collaboration and a declaration of intent to promote reconstruction and the resilience of industry were signed. Merz said that bilateral relations would also be elevated to the level of a strategic partnership.

“What we are doing through this cooperation is not only of benefit to Ukraine’s defence. It is also of great benefit to us, to our security,” said Merz. 

Zelenskiy thanked Merz for the support and once again stressed his country’s desire for full membership of NATO and the EU. “Ukraine does not need watered down EU or NATO membership,” he said, adding that the European Union and NATO needed Ukraine as a “fully-fledged partner”, too.