Germany to finance Ukrainian production of long-range missiles
dpa
Berlin
Germany is to assist Ukraine in the production of long-range weapons, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday, as he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin for the first time since taking office earlier this month.
'We want to enable long-range weapons. We also want to enable joint production,' Merz said at a press conference in the German capital, promising further support for Kiev as efforts to secure a ceasefire appear to flounder.
Merz said the German and Ukrainian defence ministers were to sign a letter of intent on the 'procurement of long-range weapons systems from Ukrainian production.' The move represents 'the start of a new form of military-industrial co-operation' between Germany and Ukraine, 'which has great potential,' the chancellor said.
Ukraine, which has been fighting off a full-scale Russian invasion for more than three years, is in need of missiles that can attack Russian airfields and supply lines deep inside Russian territory.
The question of whether Ukraine's allies should supply Kiev with long-range arms has been highly controversial in recent years, with Merz's predecessor Olaf Scholz having consistently opposed deliveries of German-made Taurus cruise missiles amid warnings that the move would escalate tensions with Moscow.
Ukraine is still hoping for the arms, Zelensky made clear during the press conference.
'Of course we need them, of course we will discuss this issue,' Zelensky said.
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