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German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius Arrives in Kyiv to Expand Joint Drone and Defense Production
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German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on May 11 for unannounced talks focused on expanding defense-industrial cooperation between Germany and Ukraine.
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According to DPA and German broadcaster n-tv on May 11, the visit was not announced in advance for security reasons and focuses on expanding joint defense projects, including the development of unmanned weapons systems across multiple strike ranges.
Pistorius said that upcoming initiatives would focus on the “joint development of modern unmanned weapons systems of all ranges.” The German minister is also expected to hold discussions with Ukrainian officials on expanding bilateral defense production cooperation.
The visit comes as Germany continues increasing long-term military and financial support for Ukraine. Berlin recently approved plans allocating €11.6 billion in support for Ukraine in 2027 under updated federal budget planning.
🔴 German defense minister visits Kyiv to expand industrial cooperation.
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) May 11, 2026
Boris Pistorius arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Monday to hold talks aimed at strengthening long-term partnerships between European and domestic arms manufacturers. pic.twitter.com/MiJxXt1heI
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil previously linked the adjustment of future defense spending plans to the unlocking of a €90 billion European Union loan mechanism.
Pistorius has previously highlighted Ukraine’s growing role in defense innovation. According to DPA, the German minister said Ukrainian technologies are now “in demand worldwide as innovative solutions.”
“We also must keep these developments in view,” Pistorius stated in earlier comments cited by DPA. He added that cooperation with Ukraine also contributes to the expansion of Germany’s own industrial and technological capabilities.
The visit also coincides with a broader expansion of German defense industry activity in Ukraine. German robotics company ARX Robotics recently announced a major increase in deliveries of its GEREON unmanned ground systems to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
The new agreement follows Ukrainian government plans to procure up to 25,000 robotic ground platforms during the first half of 2026 as part of efforts to shift frontline logistics operations toward unmanned systems.
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