President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz took part in the Ukrainian-German Business Forum, during which agreements were signed in the areas of air defence, interceptor drones, defence cooperation, and energy.
The Head of State thanked Friedrich Merz and representatives of German business for visiting Ukraine. The President noted that 15 documents with German companies were signed today and agreements worth €8.5 billion were reached.
“Security is the number one issue. Interceptors, munitions for F-16s, an air defence system – all of this is included in the package. We are grateful that we can receive this as assistance from Germany and also purchase it from German businesses. And today, this is open to Ukraine. At the same time, we are sharing our experience, our technologies, and our production capabilities with representatives of German business,” the Head of State noted.
During the press conference, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported positive results from testing the German-Ukrainian “Spys” interceptor. Work is also underway on a new small “Nika” missile against jet-powered “shaheds,” which still has to undergo testing.
Ukraine also has a large order with the German company Diehl for IRIS-T air defence systems.
“If during this war Germany was helping us and this was a contribution to strengthening our air defence, now we will have an order. A large package. I also expect – Friedrich and I discussed this today – that we will fully provide the company in Germany with orders. Unique technologies. We will strengthen our air defence and use funds from the second part of the European loan,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
In addition, work will continue to increase the production of missiles for Patriot systems in Germany.
Agreements with German companies were also signed today to support Ukraine’s energy sector. Agreements were also reached on orders for radars, artillery, and UGVs.
The President noted that Ukraine is also counting on and reaching agreements regarding participation in recovery and reconstruction after the war ends.
“I thank German business – strong business that is not afraid of Russia’s air raid alerts and shows everyone that together we are much stronger. Together in the European Union, we will be even stronger. In the European Union and in a peaceful Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The German Chancellor noted that today’s meeting is a signal of a strong partnership.
“We are here because we believe in Ukraine’s future. We want to be part of it. We are convinced that this will benefit both our countries. Ukraine’s reconstruction creates extraordinary economic opportunities for Ukraine and Germany. We can learn a lot from your experience,” Friedrich Merz emphasised.
The German Chancellor noted that Ukraine and Germany have agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy, agriculture, defence, digitalisation, and construction. There is also an “Industrial Ramstein” – an initiative designed to help Ukrainian companies affected by the war by supplying equipment and spare parts and establishing contacts with manufacturers in Europe. The German Chancellor assured Ukraine of support throughout the winter.
During the Forum, the Contract on the Localization of Ukrainian Drone Production in Germany between the National Guard of Ukraine and Quantum Systems GmbH and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Unmanned Systems for Firefighting and Rescue Operations between the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and Alpha Robotics Germany were signed.
The Ministry of Defence signed three Memoranda of Understanding with Diehl Defence: on the procurement and delivery of IRIS-T systems and missiles for them, as well as munitions; a Memorandum of Understanding with HENSOLDT on the procurement of radars; and a Letter of Intent with Quantum Systems on the testing and procurement of interceptor drones.
Documents were also concluded in the energy sector. In particular, NPC “Ukrenergo” and the two German power grid operators – 50Hertz and Amprion – signed a Memorandum of Understanding to help Ukraine obtain critically important equipment for restoring the energy system and strengthening its resilience. There are also Memoranda of Understanding with the German company Siemens Energy, signed by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine and the Naftogaz Group. The main focus of cooperation with the Ministry of Energy is exploring the possibility of using 12 Siemens Energy gas turbine units for Ukraine’s needs. The agreements between Siemens Energy and the Naftogaz Group provide for expanding cooperation on protecting energy infrastructure, modernizing underground gas storage facilities, and developing electricity generation projects.
In addition, agreements were concluded between Quantum Systems and Fire Point, ARX Robotics and ROBONEERS, and Helsing and Culver Aerospace.
