Zelenskyy and Merz held the first intergovernmental consultations in 20 years
Kyiv • UNN
In Berlin, energy, air defense, and a drone agreement were discussed. Germany confirmed its support for Ukraine's accession to the EU and the opening of a Unity Center.
In Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz held intergovernmental consultations, the first in over 20 years, UNN reports with reference to the Presidential Office.
Details
The consultations were attended by the Ukrainian government's First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal, Vice Prime Minister for Restoration – Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksiy Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha, Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Oleksiy Sobolev, and Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity Denys Uliutin.
The key is energy, infrastructure, the development of our communities, our political interaction, and especially in working with European institutions, it is important that there is a clear and unblocked movement of Ukraine towards EU membership. Also, of course, the subject of intergovernmental consultations is defense cooperation and joint defense production.
The leaders noted that the resumption of the intergovernmental consultation format fully meets the needs of the time, as relations between Ukraine and Germany have reached the level of a truly strategic partnership.
During the consultations, specific results and future plans were discussed. In particular, the documents signed today were discussed, a significant part of which is aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and resilience. They cover key areas of assistance: defense cooperation, energy, and support for people.
A significant part of the discussion was devoted to working out a bilateral agreement on drones, which Ukraine proposed to Germany.
Our experience can be integrated into the European security system, and our cooperation now with countries in the Middle East and the Gulf – in the face of constant attacks against them – proves that our experience and our proposals, our drone deals, are the most effective.
Special attention was paid to issues related to Ukraine's future membership in the European Union. Friedrich Merz emphasized that Germany supports Ukraine's European integration aspirations and the opening of negotiation clusters, and is working to overcome all obstacles on this path.
The discussion also touched upon supporting Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes due to Russian aggression. Among other things, the opening of a Unity Center in Berlin was discussed.
Ukrainian-German intergovernmental consultations were last held in 2004. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz agreed to resume this format in May 2025, during the Ukrainian President's visit to Berlin.