Chancellor Merz and President Zelenskyy Sign Strategic Defense Pact in Berlin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a series of defense and economic agreements in Berlin on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, establishing a formal "Strategic Partnership" during the first comprehensive bilateral government consultations between the two countries in over 20 years. The meeting, attended by cabinet members from both sides, produced accords covering air defense, drone production, long-range weapons, ammunition, economic reconstruction, and digitalization. Zelenskyy arrived at the Federal Chancellery by helicopter under the highest security conditions, with his identity not publicly confirmed until minutes before the event. Six different drones — nearly all produced through existing German-Ukrainian joint ventures — were displayed on pedestals in the Chancellery foyer ahead of the signing ceremony. The atmosphere was described as relaxed and close, with Merz and Zelenskyy embracing upon arrival.

„Germany is our partner number one in the defense of Ukraine.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy via Reuters

„No defence industry has become more innovative than Ukraine's. Through our support, we are strengthening both German and European defence capabilities and our industrial base.” — Friedrich Merz via Reuters

Germany and Ukraine had not held comprehensive bilateral government consultations for more than two decades before Tuesday's meeting. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering an unprecedented mobilization of Western military and financial support. Germany has since emerged as Europe's largest provider of military aid to Kyiv, a role that expanded further after the United States under President Donald Trump withdrew all financial support for Ukraine. The ongoing war between the United States and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, has further complicated Western diplomatic efforts and strained U.S. military stockpiles.

Hundreds of Patriot missiles and a joint drone venture agreed German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signed a defense cooperation agreement with Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, the centerpiece of which was a commitment to purchase several hundred Patriot air defense missiles from U.S. manufacturer Raytheon for Ukraine, along with launchers for IRIS-T air defense systems from Germany's Diehl Defence. The Patriot purchase is proceeding despite the U.S. Army having significantly reduced its own stocks due to ammunition requirements in the ongoing war with Iran. Germany's defense ministry announced that a joint venture would be created to supply thousands of drones to the Ukrainian military, building on cooperation already underway between German and Ukrainian companies. Berlin also agreed to invest several hundred million euros to finance so-called deep strike capabilities. Zelenskyy said teams from both countries were still finalizing the scope and details of the drone agreement, but expressed confidence in its scale.

„I am confident that we will have one of the largest — indeed the largest — agreements of this kind at least in Europe.” — Volodymyr Zelenskyy via Reuters

55 (billion euros) — German military aid delivered to Ukraine since 2022

11.5 (billion euros) — German military aid set aside in current budget

Total delivered since 2022: 55, Current budget allocation: 11.5

Orbán's removal clears path for €90 billion EU loan The political backdrop to Tuesday's consultations shifted significantly following the removal of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán from power on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Orbán's government had been the sole EU member blocking the release of a 90-billion-euro loan intended to allow Ukraine to purchase new weapons systems. According to circles within the German delegation, the change of government in Budapest should make a payout possible by mid-May. Merz described the change in Budapest as "consistently very positive," while Zelenskyy called it the "victory of light over darkness." Merz also pledged to work toward ensuring the EU loan is released as quickly as possible. The United States, which under President Trump had already completely withdrawn financial support for Ukraine, has also been absent diplomatically since the start of the Iran war, leaving European partners to carry the burden of both military and political support for Kyiv.

90 (billion euros) — EU loan for Ukraine blocked until Orbán's removal

EU membership, culture, and digitalization also on the agenda Beyond defense, the two governments signed a letter of intent on economic reconstruction, with German Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan and Ukrainian Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev putting their names to the document. Merz described Ukraine's reconstruction as an "enormous economic opportunity" for German companies, with closer cooperation planned in agriculture, energy security, hydrogen, and critical raw materials. The two sides also agreed on a German-Ukrainian Year of Culture for 2027-2028 and announced a network meeting of the more than 260 city partnerships between the two countries, a number that has tripled since before the war. Germany expressed interest in learning from Ukraine's experience in digitalizing state services. On the question of Ukrainian EU membership, Merz acknowledged Zelenskyy's desire to accelerate the process but described it as a "longer perspective," citing the need for Ukraine to push reforms more strongly, particularly in anti-corruption and rule of law. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul had previously described Ukraine as Germany's "top foreign policy priority," though analysts noted the Iran war has placed competing demands on Berlin's attention.

Key milestones in German-Ukrainian relations, 2022–2026: — ; — ; — ; —