Germany Commits €5 Billion Arms Package To Ukraine, Launches Joint Missile Production

 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is leaving Berlin with a substantial new arms package worth €5 billion ($5.7 billion), signaling a deeper partnership between Ukraine and Germany as Kyiv works to strengthen its military capacity and domestic weapons production.

The centerpiece of the deal, unveiled Wednesday, is Germany’s commitment to co-finance the joint production of long-range missiles inside Ukraine. These weapons would enhance Ukraine’s ability to strike targets deep within Russian territory, significantly extending its current military reach.

The package also includes advanced air defense systems, ammunition, weapons, operational support capabilities, and medical aid.

However, one major element anticipated by many was missing: Germany’s highly capable long-range Taurus missile system. Despite earlier expectations, the transfer or approval of the Taurus missiles was not announced. The decision reflects ongoing internal disagreement within Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition government. While Merz and members of his Christian Democratic party have pushed for delivering the Taurus system, their Social Democrat coalition partners remain cautious, fearing the potential for escalating the conflict with Russia.

A member of Merz’s party publicly criticized the coalition’s hesitation, stating, “I still see no unity within the coalition and no political will to respond appropriately, with force and consistency to Russia’s massive escalation.”

Had they been approved, the Taurus missiles would have given Ukraine striking power beyond that of the British Storm Shadow or the American-made ATACMS.

Despite this omission, the deal marks a significant turning point in German-Ukrainian defense cooperation. Standing beside Zelensky in Berlin, Chancellor Merz called it “the beginning of a new phase of industrial military cooperation between our countries that has a great deal of potential.”

While specific details remain under wraps—part of a new German strategy aimed at maintaining “strategic ambiguity”—the agreement signals a shift toward long-term support and greater integration of Ukraine into European defense frameworks.

The German defense ministry later confirmed plans to increase direct investment in Ukraine’s domestic arms production. Zelensky had hinted at such developments in his Tuesday night address, emphasizing the importance of developing attack drones, interceptors, cruise missiles, and ballistic systems within Ukraine.

Germany’s defense ministry indicated that some of these new systems could be operational within weeks, with “a significant number of long-range weapons” expected to be produced this year.

The Kremlin was quick to denounce the agreement. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called Germany’s position “entirely irresponsible,” accusing Berlin of fueling the conflict rather than supporting peace.

Germany has consistently ranked among Ukraine’s top international supporters, second only to the United States in both military and humanitarian aid, according to the Kiel Institute.

The announcement in Berlin marked the third meeting in as many weeks between Zelensky and Merz—significant considering Merz has only recently assumed the role of chancellor. Both leaders expressed frustration over Russia’s delays in engaging with peace negotiations, specifically referencing an unfulfilled memorandum reportedly discussed during a recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Chancellor Merz concluded: “Moscow is playing for time. The memorandum still has not been shared. Recent attacks across Ukraine speak the language of aggression.”