Ukraine secures new defense agreements with Germany as Zelenskyy pushes for enhanced anti-ballistic capabilities

Jun 17, 2026

Ukraine and Germany have signed a new defense agreement to jointly develop anti-ballistic capabilities and produce the TerMIT unmanned ground vehicle. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging allies for concrete results by winter to counter Russia's persistent ballistic missile attacks. The deal comes as G7 leaders pledge to bolster Ukraine's air defenses and the UK commits 150,000 drones.

Germany-Poland defense agreement

▪On June 18, 2026, Ukraine and Germany signed an agreement to develop anti-ballistic capabilities.
▪The agreement was announced during a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein group, in Belgium.

U.S. military drawdown in Europe

▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian ballistic missiles remain a problem for his country.
▪At the Ramstein group meeting, Zelenskyy said Ukraine also urgently needs long-range artillery and unmanned vehicles.
▪Zelenskyy said he expects to see concrete outcomes from the joint work on anti-ballistic defense by winter.

Poland's military capabilities growth

▪Fire Point, Ukraine's largest missile and drone maker, is a participant in the initiative with Germany.
▪The TerMIT vehicle can carry up to 300 kg of ammunition, gear, and water to frontline positions.
▪The TerMIT unmanned vehicles will be produced in Germany.
▪As part of the agreement, Ukraine and Germany will jointly produce the TerMIT, an unmanned ground vehicle.

Germany's Bundeswehr revitalization

▪Kyiv came under a Russian air attack involving ballistic missiles around June 18, 2026.
▪Ukrainian drones hit a Moscow oil refinery for the second time in a week.
▪One person was killed in a drone attack in the Ukrainian city of Sumy, and another was killed in a strike in Dnipro.

World War II reparations dispute

▪Zelenskyy said he received G7 commitments for more air defense missiles, licenses to produce them, and a winter support package.
▪G7 leaders have pledged to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and increase economic pressure on Moscow.
▪The United Kingdom announced it would provide 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of the year as part of a $1 billion package.