European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Wednesday in Kyiv the signing of a partnership between the European Union and Ukraine to boost joint production of drones. Von der Leyen, in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said, 'What we are signing today is our agreement on drones.' She added that 'this agreement will combine Ukrainian innovation with European industrial strength,' without disclosing its value.

From left: Romanian President Nicusor Dan, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attend a ceremony in Kyiv on Wednesday (AP)

President Zelensky announced that his country currently produces 10 million drones annually and intends to double that number to 20 million, according to the Ukrinform news agency citing Zelensky on the occasion of Ukrainian Statehood Day celebrations. Zelensky said: 'I remember when I first announced the government's plan to produce one million drones a year. There was a lot of skepticism everywhere, both at home and abroad,' adding, 'We will do it together with our partners, once again proving the success of Ukrainian, partner, and European defense industries.'

German Chancellor and Ukrainian President on the sidelines of the 'Paris Summit' on Monday (AFP)

Speaking on St. Michael's Square during her visit to Kyiv, von der Leyen said Ukraine's knowledge of drone systems and anti-drone systems 'is truly unique,' and added that Europe at the same time has 'immense technological and industrial capacity that can be deployed, and safe production sites that can help in development.' Von der Leyen explained that the goal is to combine this 'battle-tested' expertise with the EU's 'immense technological and industrial capabilities.' She added: 'It's time to invest in Ukraine, because that means investing in Europe and in our common security.'

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Von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday on her 11th visit to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, describing the visit as coming at a 'special moment,' saying that Ukraine has gained strong military momentum and 'things are beginning to change.' She added: 'We will also discuss accession and preparations for this winter.'

The European Union is moving forward with accession negotiations, although Ukraine is not expected to complete the process before the next decade.

Ukraine has recently intensified its attacks on Russia, specifically targeting oil infrastructure, in an attempt to cripple Moscow's ability to fund its war effort.

A Ukrainian soldier prepares to launch an attack drone towards Russian forces from a position near the front line in the Donetsk region (Reuters)

Contrary to previous announcements, Germany is expected to participate in the first military exercise of the so-called 'Coalition of the Willing' established by Ukraine's allies. In statements to the German News Agency (DPA), German government spokesman Steffen Cornelius said on Wednesday that the German-French Security and Defense Council will discuss this matter during its meeting on Friday, and added: 'Germany will participate in this exercise, and the federal government is currently studying how this participation will take place.' German government sources had stated on Tuesday that Germany would not participate in the exercise.

The coalition, which includes about 35 countries from Ukraine's allies, unexpectedly agreed during a meeting held Monday in Paris at the French proposal to conduct the first training for the multinational force dedicated to Ukraine.

Municipal workers remove debris after a Russian strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on Wednesday amid Russia's invasion of the country (AP)

This force is being formed to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The first exercises are scheduled to take place in Poland, one of the neighboring countries to Ukraine.

This is expected to be a limited-scale exercise, initially testing command structures and decision-making mechanisms. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on Tuesday that Poland, France, and Britain will participate in these exercises.

The decision to form a European-led multinational force to ensure the implementation of any potential ceasefire was taken during a summit on Ukraine held in the German capital Berlin last December. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that this force is already ready for deployment.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confined his remarks to saying that the 'Coalition of the Willing' is ready to play an 'important role' in providing security guarantees for Ukraine after a ceasefire, in close coordination with the United States. He added: 'The federal government and the German parliament will also decide the nature and scale of the German contribution.'

The German-French Security and Defense Council is scheduled to meet on Friday at the Nörvenich Air Base, ahead of the German-French Cabinet meeting in the city of Brühl near Cologne, which will be attended, alongside Merz and Macron, by a large number of ministers from both countries.

From left: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speak at a press conference following the 'Coalition of the Willing' summit on security guarantees for Ukraine in Paris on July 13, 2026 (AP)

In a related development, US President Donald Trump said he still believes that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin is ready to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine soon, despite the ongoing attacks and some indications that Moscow might escalate the conflict. Trump added in an interview with Fox News when asked about his talks with Putin: 'I think he is ready to reach a deal.' The interview was recorded on Tuesday and aired on Wednesday. Three sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters that Putin is rejecting calls to negotiate peace with Kyiv and is likely to escalate the conflict, which has entered its fifth year. Trump promised to reach an agreement to end the war on the first day of his presidency in January 2025.

Rescue teams work on a residential building partially destroyed by a Russian missile strike targeting the Ukrainian capital Kyiv (AP)

On the ground, Ukraine targeted 20 Russian tankers in the Black Sea, according to the commander of the Ukrainian drone forces, Robert Brovdi, via the Telegram app.

Bloomberg news agency quoted Brovdi as saying that 17 oil tankers, two gas carriers, and a tugboat were attacked overnight in the Black Sea.

It is noted that 116 ships have been attacked in recent days in the Sea of Azov. Brovdi said: 'The first round of the naval battle is over. Now the Black Sea.'

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