Interfax-Ukraine
16:15 21.07.2025

First German-funded Ukrainian long-range drones arrive within days – Pistorius

3 min read
First German-funded Ukrainian long-range drones arrive within days – Pistorius

The first German-funded Ukrainian long-range weapons will be delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the next few days, said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who is co-chairing the 29th meeting of the Contact Group on Defense Issues for Ukraine (in the Ramstein format).

"To protect the skies over Ukraine, we must support the Ukrainian Armed Forces in their offensive actions aimed at weakening Russia's air combat capabilities. That is why we are financing the comprehensive acquisition of Ukrainian-made long-range unmanned aerial vehicles," he said, opening the Ramstein format meeting.

Pistorius stressed that these systems have already proven their effectiveness on the battlefield, destroying Russian aircraft, drones and missiles.

"The first German-funded systems will be delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the next few days and will be ready for immediate use. And we are going to further strengthen this potential by providing additional investments and organizing close technical cooperation between the German and Ukrainian defense industries," the minister said.

In addition, together with British friends, Germany will "as soon as possible" provide 220,000 35 mm caliber cartridges for the Gepard anti-aircraft system, which will be financed by Germany.

According to Pistorius, "this is a clear signal to Putin: prolonging the war will cost more and more."

"Our duty, colleagues, and our obligation is to actively support our Ukrainian friends in this regard," the German Defense Minister said.

Separately, he noted that "Putin is pursuing his military program with brutal determination and is not interested in real negotiations."

"In the morning he talks about peace, and in the evening he launches drones and missiles at Ukrainian citizens and civilians. Putin wants to buy time with this cynical game. He believes that his war machine will ultimately win, but he is mistaken," Pistorius said.

He called on allies to "stop this war machine by joining forces to support Ukraine with all our might."

"First of all, this requires us to urgently strengthen Ukraine's air defenses," the minister stressed.

The 29th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense (in the Ramstein format) is taking place online on Monday, July 21, under the leadership of the United Kingdom and Germany.

More than 50 of Ukraine's partners joined the meeting, including the NATO Secretary General, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and the U.S. Secretary of Defense, as well as dozens of Alliance and partner countries.

Ukraine is represented by Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, for whom this is the first time participating in Ramstein. Also present alongside him is Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, who until recently was the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Also present are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov.

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