Germany Plans Major Expansion of Defense Cooperation with Ukraine – Bild
Germany is preparing a comprehensive arms partnership with Ukraine, which is expected to benefit both countries.
The Gaze reports on this, referring to Bild.
According to the media, a ten-point plan outlining close military cooperation was coordinated. Under the plan, Ukraine will enter into an all-encompassing partnership in the field of armaments. In the medium term, German-Ukrainian weapons are expected to be used on the front lines, and German armed forces will also employ this equipment.
Germany, already the largest military sponsor of Ukraine in Europe with investments of over 40 billion euros, is now planning the next phase of cooperation, which is also expected to benefit its own defense industry.
Key measures include regular high-level consultations between the defense ministries of both countries, the establishment of the “Ukraine Freedom House” in Berlin to improve contacts between the Ukrainian defense industry and German companies, and the strengthening of contact points for the German defense industry in Ukraine through the embassy. The role of military attachés is being enhanced, along with the exchange of information on weapons requirements.
Significant attention is being given to joint research, development, and production of weapons, including unmanned aerial vehicles and related technologies, as well as continuous technology transfer in both directions, including the production in Germany of weapons developed in Ukraine.
The plan also includes the creation of a large European alliance for arms procurement in support of Ukraine, the integration of the Ukrainian defense industry into the pan-European defense market, potential use of federal investment guarantees, continuous exchange of information about events on the front line, and practical experience sharing on the use of German technologies in Ukraine. The final step will be the creation of a special anti-corruption shield for arms deals with Ukraine.
On the same day, December 15, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Berlin, where he has already held a series of important meetings.
He was first received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace. Later, Zelenskyy met with the President of the Bundestag, Julia Klöckner, to discuss mechanisms for using frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. The President expressed his gratitude to the German parliament for its support and for allocating €11.5 billion in defense aid next year, which will help strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities and support its armed forces in countering Russian aggression.
As part of the visit, a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is also planned, and both leaders will participate in the closing of the German-Ukrainian Economic Forum, highlighting the economic and political cooperation between the two countries.
It should be noted that on December 14 and 15, rounds of talks took place in Berlin between the Ukrainian and American sides, aimed at coordinating further military and political support for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was joined by senior Ukrainian officials, while the U.S. delegation included special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
As The Gaze informed earlier, the US and Ukraine reported significant progress after a five-hour round of talks in Berlin on a proposed peace plan.
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