Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Germany to send additional Iris-T air defense systems to counter severe missile and drone attacks from Russia. He made this request during a meeting in Kyiv with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
This marked Wadephul’s first visit to the Ukrainian capital since taking office in early May. During his visit, he inspected one of the Iris-T systems that Germany donated to Ukraine in April, when six units were delivered, with a promise of 10 more to follow.
Expanding Defense Cooperation
During his meeting with Wadephul, Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s interest in expanding defense cooperation between the two countries. He announced that up to 20 new partnership agreements could be finalized in the coming days.
The German minister described the situation as a positive opportunity for both sides, noting that German defense companies are already active in Ukraine, while Ukrainian companies operate in Germany. He added that this shared experience benefits both nations and demonstrates that security is interconnected, also bringing economic advantages.
