Ukraine reaches defense agreement with Germany.

President Zelensky said that Ukraine and Germany have begun planning for joint production of advanced drones and tested defense systems.

According to AP, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 14 that Ukraine and Germany are beginning to plan for joint production of drones and combat-tested defense systems as Kyiv seeks to bolster its military strength in the conflict with Russia.

"We have proposed to Germany a bilateral agreement on drones, encompassing various types of drones, missiles, software, and advanced defense systems. Our teams are beginning concrete work," Zelensky said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during a visit to Berlin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: AP.

Chancellor Merz said that Germany's commitment to supporting Kyiv in the fight was "a very clear signal" to Russia. "We will not hesitate in our efforts to defend Ukraine," he stressed.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine has the capacity to produce twice as much military equipment as it currently does, but lacks the funds to ramp up production.

The key to unlocking that potential lies in securing the €90 billion ($106 billion) loan promised by the European Union, which Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has opposed, but Orbán's impending departure from office after last weekend's elections could help "release" this money.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who accompanied President Zelensky to Berlin, said Germany and Ukraine had reached a €4 billion ($4.7 billion) defense cooperation agreement. Fedorov wrote on X that the deal was "a big boost" for Ukraine's air defense system, allowing Kyiv to purchase "several hundred" US-made Patriot missiles.

Following Berlin, Zelensky is expected to visit Norway, another important financial and military ally, while defense leaders from more than 50 partner countries, who regularly meet to coordinate arms aid to Kyiv, will hold a virtual meeting on April 15, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/ukraine-dat-thoa-thuan-quoc-phong-voi-duc-post2149096802.html