France agrees to accelerate missile deliveries to Ukraine as Germany pledges aid

French missile deliveries and air defense

President Volodymyr Zelensky held a bilateral telephone conversation lasting nearly two hours on Saturday, 22 August 2026, with French President Emmanuel Macron. The primary focus of the discussion was the reinforcement of Ukraine's air defense network against ongoing aerial attacks. Macron agreed to accelerate the transfer of modern French military hardware and advanced missiles, while also confirming France's readiness to grant production licenses allowing missile manufacturing inside Ukraine. In addition, Zelensky noted that Kyiv relies on French diplomatic support to facilitate talks with partner countries that possess interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems. The two leaders also reviewed defense funding requirements for both 2026 and 2027, agreeing on measures to fast-track bilateral security accords and create fresh diplomatic opportunities in coordination with the team of the United States president. Zelensky announced the outcomes of the conversation in a public statement.

We agreed to speed up the delivery of the most modern French equipment and missiles. Thank you for confirming readiness to grant licenses for missile production.

German aid and diplomatic efforts

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul visited Kyiv on Saturday for high-level diplomatic talks with Ukrainian government officials. At a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Wadephul announced financial commitments from Berlin. The package allocates 50 million euros to direct humanitarian assistance alongside 10 million euros dedicated to the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package trust fund for Ukraine. Wadephul also confirmed that German diplomacy would work to persuade the United States to take a more active role in the peace process. Following the press briefing, Wadephul met directly with Zelensky, who commended German leadership in helping strengthen Ukrainian defense measures against air strikes.

Ballistic defense and US envoy talks

Zelensky also held talks in Kyiv on Saturday with retired United States General Keith Kellogg, a former envoy for Donald Trump who traveled from Odesa after attending the annual Veterans Forum. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Kellogg for honoring Ukrainian service members who defend both Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic security area under demanding conditions. The discussion centered on the intensification of Russian strikes targeting civilian populations and national infrastructure. Zelensky designated protection against ballistic missiles as the top defensive priority for Ukrainian armed forces and briefed Kellogg on joint development work with European allies to establish an effective ballistic missile defense system.

Upcoming coalition summit

The weekend discussions precede an international conference of the coalition of willing partner nations supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion, planned for Monday, 24 August 2026. The meeting will be co-chaired by Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The participating leaders plan to coordinate Western military supply pipelines, ensure continuous financing for Ukrainian defense programs through 2027, and align strategic positions among European allies and Washington. Ukrainian representatives plan to use the multilateral gathering to secure further ammunition commitments and solidify joint defense industrial agreements.