European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the initiative on Wednesday during Ukraine’s Statehood Day ceremonies in Kyiv. The agreement underscores the EU’s view that Ukraine’s defense is closely tied to the broader security of the European continent.

“Today, Ukraine’s fight is not only a fight for your own freedom. It is an existential fight for Europe’s freedoms — for its values, its self-determination,” von der Leyen said during a ceremony at St. Michael’s Square, where she received Ukraine’s Order of Europe, a state honor.

Defense partnership targets joint missile and drone production

The two sides signed a letter of intent outlining plans to establish joint production of drones and anti-drone systems by the end of this year, followed by joint anti-ballistic missile manufacturing by 2028. The partnership also provides broader support for Ukraine’s defense industry as the country seeks to expand domestic arms production.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has evolved from relying heavily on foreign military assistance to developing advanced battlefield technologies that have drawn interest from partners in Europe, the United States and the Middle East. Even so, Kyiv continues to seek support to increase production capacity, particularly for sophisticated air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.

Ukraine also views closer defense cooperation as part of its broader goal of joining the European Union, a process that has begun but is expected to take years.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump said during the NATO summit that the United States would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems domestically. Zelenskyy said Wednesday he expects Ukraine to have the technical capability to produce the advanced missiles by the end of the year, although experts have cautioned that such production could take considerably longer.

Statehood Day highlights European support

Von der Leyen joined leaders including the presidents of Moldova and Romania in marking Ukraine’s Statehood Day, a public holiday celebrating the country’s sovereignty and self-determination.

Ukraine has faced sustained pressure from Russia since Moscow illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 before launching its full-scale invasion in 2022. The war has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians, displaced millions of people, devastated cities and heightened concerns that the conflict could escalate into a wider confrontation between Russia and NATO, whose members have continued supporting Kyiv.

Senior officials from southeastern European countries also gathered in Kyiv for discussions focused on Black Sea security and broader regional stability. The meeting followed last year’s summit in Odesa, where participating countries reaffirmed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Zelenskyy has recently secured additional commitments of support from the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations and the Coalition of the Willing.

EU pledges continued military and energy support

Von der Leyen, making her 11th wartime visit to Kyiv, said the European Union would continue helping Ukraine strengthen its air defenses ahead of winter, when Russian missile strikes have frequently targeted critical energy infrastructure.

“Energy remains an unwavering priority,” Zelenskyy said.

Von der Leyen also pointed to Ukraine’s recent military operations, saying its expanding drone and missile capabilities have disrupted Russian supply lines and demonstrated growing battlefield momentum.

“It’s a special moment,” she wrote on social media. “Ukraine has built a strong military momentum. The tide is turning.”

Meanwhile, Washington appeared set to increase economic pressure on Moscow after U.S. senators introduced legislation that would impose steep tariffs on goods imported from countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, gas and other exports. The proposal had previously been delayed after White House reservations.

Russian strikes continue as political challenges persist

The announcement came as Zelenskyy oversees a major government reshuffle and as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, whose country has maintained close ties with Moscow while supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity, attended the Southeast Europe Summit in Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials said Russian aerial attacks killed at least nine civilians and injured 13 others on Wednesday.

Authorities said Russian forces launched six glide bombs targeting infrastructure in the northern Sumy region, killing three people and wounding seven. Officials also reported three deaths and three injuries in Odesa, while drone attacks killed two people in the Chernihiv region and another person died in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones overnight over several Russian regions, as well as over Crimea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.

Article Topics: Ukraine | European Union | Russia | Defense Industry | Air Defense | Military Cooperation | Statehood Day | Black Sea Security

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