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German defense minister visits Kyiv to discuss joint arms production

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German defense minister visits Kyiv to discuss joint arms production
11 May 2026, Ukraine, Kiew: Boris Pistorius (SPD), Federal Minister of Defense, arrives at the main train station in Kiev. Political talks are on the agenda. Photo: Kay Nietfeld/dpa (Photo by Kay Nietfeld/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on May 11 for a previously unannounced visit to discuss defense cooperation with Ukraine.

The visit will center on strengthening the German-Ukrainian strategic partnership, particularly in joint weapons production, Germany's defense chief said.

"The focus is on the joint development of state-of-the-art unmanned systems across all ranges, particularly in the area of deep strike," Pistorius told the DPA news agency.

Berlin is Kyiv's leading military donor and a key partner in the defense industry sector. The two countries cemented their partnership with an agreement signed on April 14, expanding cooperation in air defense, long-range weapons, drones, and ammunition.

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Martin Fornusek

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Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.

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