Overview
- German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov signed the Berlin agreement on May 28 to invest directly in locally produced long-range and air defense systems.
- The €5 billion package covers funding for missile strike capabilities, procurement of IRIS-T air defense systems with corresponding munitions, and satellite communications support.
- Berlin will back the establishment of repair facilities and a joint venture with Ukrainian defense firms, along with financing for command communications and medical equipment production.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed there are no operational-range restrictions on weapons made under the pact and said the first systems will be deployed within weeks.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced the deal as a provocation that undermines prospects for a negotiated peace.