Berlin: Ukraine and Germany have reached new agreements on joint defense production, including investments in weapons manufacturing and drone systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced following talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of drone production in Ukraine as "crucial for saving the lives of our soldiers" and acknowledged Germany's contribution to defending the international rules-based order. Additionally, both nations have signed cooperation agreements in construction and industrial development, agreeing to resume intergovernmental meetings at the president and chancellor levels to achieve "substantial" results.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards Germany, stating, "Germany is one of the global leaders in supporting Ukraine and defending the rules-based international order." He highlighted the discussions on shared diplomacy, common security, and joint projects with Chancellor Merz, underscoring their importance for advancing peace and strengthening security.

The visit to Germany is part of Zelenskyy's ongoing diplomatic efforts to maintain international support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Earlier, Chancellor Merz announced the lifting of restrictions on the range of Ukrainian strikes with German weapons, aligning with similar decisions made by Britain and France. However, Merz's statements have led to confusion as the German government had previously denied authorizing such actions.