Ukraine and Germany Agree on Anti-Ballistic Capabilities, Aim for Winter Results
Agreement Details and Strategic Implications
KYIV, June 18 (Reuters) - Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement on anti-ballistic capabilities, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday, calling on other Western allies to join the effort and deliver results by winter.
Ukraine's Urgent Needs and International Collaboration
Speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, known as the Ramstein group, Zelenskiy said Ukraine urgently needed long-range artillery and unmanned vehicles. He also asked to develop additional financial instruments to finance the Ukrainian army long-term.
Addressing the Ballistic Missile Threat
"Russian ballistic missiles remain a problem, and we need an answer to that problem," Zelenskiy said.
"By this winter, we should already see concrete outcomes from our joint work on anti-ballistic defence. This is something we all need, not only Ukraine, and it is a long-term effort."
Joint Production Initiatives
Development of the TerMIT Unmanned Ground Vehicle
Zelenskiy's office said that Ukraine and Germany would develop anti-ballistic capabilities and jointly produce the TerMIT, an unmanned ground vehicle that can carry up to 300 kg of ammunition, gear and water to frontline positions.
Production and Industrial Collaboration
The unmanned vehicles would be produced in Germany.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said that several German companies were interested in the project.
Zelenskiy said that Fire Point, Ukraine's largest missile and drone maker, was one of the participants in the initiative.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Alex Richardson)
