Ukraine proposes bilateral drone deal with Germany, says Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that his country is proposing a bilateral drone deal with Germany.

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin, Zelenskyy said that Europe’s industry, technological base, and military-political capabilities must be sufficient to provide reliable protection to everyone in any conditions.

Stressing that this applies in particular to Europe's ability to produce anti-ballistic air defense “in the necessary volumes and full-scale protection” against any aerial targets, including drones, Zelenskyy said this issue was addressed during his meeting with Merz.

“Ukraine is ready to make its contribution. We have offered Germany an agreement on drones, a bilateral drone deal, various types of drones, missiles, software, and modern defense,” Zelenskyy said, adding that their teams are starting “concrete work.”

“Our experience can be integrated into the European security system,” Zelenskyy went on to say, arguing that Ukraine’s work with countries of the Middle East and Gulf region proves that its experience and proposals are “the most effective.”

Zelenskyy also said that they have an agreement on a new contribution from Germany to Ukraine’s drone production, thanking Merz for all the steps that he has already taken.

“I appreciate that cooperation between Ukraine and Germany has reached the level of a meaningful strategic partnership,” he added.

Zelenskyy arrived in Berlin earlier Tuesday for talks with the German chancellor, a day after he said that Ukraine is preparing the basis for deeper security agreements in Europe, adding they expect to “achieve results this very week.”

Last week, the Ukrainian president declared he will hold talks “in the near future” with European countries on defense against Russian drones and Ukraine’s EU accession, among other topics.

Ahead of the press conference, Ukraine and Germany signed a data cooperation agreement between their defense ministries, as well as a joint declaration of intent on “support of industrial recovery and resilience” between their economy ministries.

Druzhba oil pipeline

During the press conference, Zelenskyy also spoke about the Druzhba oil pipeline, saying that it will be repaired by the "end of April."

The pipeline, an artery for Russian crude oil to Hungary and Slovakia through Ukraine, has been offline since late January

"Not completely (repaired), but enough to function,” said Zelenskyy. “The tanks will not all be repaired, it is a long process, but that is a different matter ... We strongly believe that this will coincide with other obligations of the EU countries, primarily Hungary, which blocked certain decisions that are important to us.”

He also said he is ready to meet Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Peter Magyar when the incoming official is also ready, and that he believes they need to build their relations.

The outgoing administration in Hungary has been generally opposed to aid to Ukraine, but the incoming administration under Magyar is expected to be friendlier.

On Ukraine's possible accession to the EU, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will not agree to "simplified" options for membership in the EU as well as the NATO alliance, insisting on his country's full integration with both, adding that this meets the interests of both Kyiv and its partners.

"To be honest, I believe that both Europe and NATO countries need Ukraine as a fully strong partner, they need our army. A strong army," Zelenskyy said.