Yesterday at 23:05
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Germany, France, and Montenegro on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, focusing on strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, expanding defense cooperation, advancing peace efforts, and supporting Ukraine’s European integration, UATV English reports.
During talks with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, the two sides reaffirmed the strength of the Ukrainian-German strategic partnership and discussed expanding cooperation in the defense, industrial, and economic sectors. Sybiha thanked Germany for its leadership in supporting Ukraine and stressed the urgent need to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses following recent large-scale Russian missile attacks on Kyiv. The ministers also coordinated further bilateral and transatlantic efforts, discussed peace initiatives, and Germany’s support for opening the next clusters in Ukraine’s EU accession negotiations.
Separately, Sybiha and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signed an implementation agreement on the joint production of BARS unmanned aerial vehicles under the Build with Ukraine initiative. Germany will finance the first stage of production, while all drones manufactured under the project will be delivered to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
In his meeting with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot, Sybiha reviewed the outcomes of the NATO–Ukraine Council meeting and discussed measures to strengthen Ukraine’s protection against Russian ballistic missile attacks. The ministers also exchanged views on the battlefield situation, ongoing peace efforts, and recent European and international developments. Sybiha thanked France for its leading role in supporting Ukraine, reinforcing European security and transatlantic unity, as well as for backing Ukraine’s EU accession process and the opening of additional negotiating clusters. He also invited Barrot to visit Ukraine.
Sybiha also met with Montenegro’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimović, thanking Montenegro for its continued support for Ukraine and briefing him on the consequences of recent Russian strikes and the situation on the battlefield. The ministers discussed Ukraine’s EU accession process, with Sybiha emphasizing that Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkan countries are partners rather than competitors on the path toward EU membership. They also agreed on the importance of further developing the Ukraine–Southeast Europe format, while Sybiha congratulated Montenegro on its progress toward joining the European Union and invited Ibrahimović to visit Ukraine.
