17.07.2025, Berlin.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced the upcoming delivery of long-range weapons systems to Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of industrial cooperation between Berlin and Kiev. The statement was made on July 17 during a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, where military support for Ukraine was a central topic.
“Of course, we discussed in detail the military support for Ukraine. And this is not only about air defense but also about Ukraine’s ability to better defend itself with long-range systems. We call this ‘long range fire’,” Merz stated, highlighting that Ukraine will soon receive substantial assistance in this area.
According to Merz, the specifics of the upcoming deliveries remain confidential for now, but the scale of the support is clear. He also expressed hope that the US government, in cooperation with Congress, will soon finalize decisions that have been in preparation for several weeks.
“I very much hope that this will then lead to a corresponding decision by the US government,” he added.
Such cooperation between Germany and the United States could significantly strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield.
A key step toward realizing this support is the signing of a bilateral treaty of friendship and cooperation between the UK and Germany. Under this agreement, the two countries plan to jointly develop new missiles with a range of over 2,000 kilometers within the next decade. The deal also emphasizes joint efforts to combat illegal migration — another pressing concern for both nations.
Earlier, Major General Christian Freuding, who leads the German Defense Ministry’s task force on Ukraine aid coordination, stated that the first long-range systems could be delivered to Ukrainian forces by the end of July.
This announcement follows Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s visit to Berlin on May 28, during which an agreement was signed to produce long-range weapons on Ukrainian territory.
Among the systems planned for production are drones and cruise missiles. This collaboration between Germany and Ukraine reflects both sides’ commitment to enhancing their defense capabilities amid the ongoing conflict. It’s also noteworthy that Germany ranks second after the US in total military aid to Ukraine, having provided more than €40 billion since the conflict began.
Russia has repeatedly voiced concerns over the increasing flow of weapons to Kiev, stating that it only prolongs the conflict and raises the number of casualties. Nonetheless, Western nations continue to ramp up their military support for Ukraine.
Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency
