The European Union’s top official has signed an agreement to move forward on joint weapons production deal with Ukraine.
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NHC tracking system in GulfNext photo Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, awards European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. From left, Romania President Nicusor Dan, Moldova President Maia Sandu, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Olena Zelenska attend a ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Ukrainian and EU officials attend a ceremony in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Press Office, Ukraine's deputy of Foreign Minister Olexander Mischenko, left, welcomes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen upon her arrival at a railway station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Left to right: President of Albania Bajram Begaj, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Moldova Maia Sandu and President of Serbia Aleksandar Vui attend summit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, awards European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. – The European Union’s top official signed an agreement Wednesday to move forward on joint weapons production with Ukraine, saying Kyiv's fight against Over the course of the war, Ukraine has gone from pleading for foreign military support to providing its cutting-edge and battle-testedto Europe, the United States and Middle East countries.
But it still needs help expanding its domestic production, especially sophisticated air defenses that can stop Russia’sThe move reflects European worries about Russia’s broader intentions on the 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 in a speech in Kyiv's St. Michaels’ Square, where she received Ukraine's Order of Europe, a state honor.
“You are not only fighting for your own future but for the security of our entire continent,” she told a crowd. The EU and Ukraine signed a letter of intent that aims to establish joint drone and anti-drone production by the end of this year and joint anti-ballistic missile production by 2028, as well as broader support for defense manufacturing.last week that the U.S. will give Ukraine a license to build its own Patriot air defense systems, essential to countering ballistic missiles.
Zelenskyy said Wednesday he expects Ukraine will have the technical capability to produce the sophisticated missiles by the end of the year, even though experts say itVon der Leyen and other dignitaries, including the presidents of Moldova and Romania, marked Ukraine’s Statehood Day, which celebrates the country’s sovereignty and is a public holiday. Ukraine has been under threat since Russian forces illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, followed eight years later by the all-out invasion in 2022.
Statehood Day, celebrating the country’s self-determination, is a public holiday in Ukraine. The war has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians, forced millions to flee their homes, reduced some Ukrainian cities to rubble, and has fueled fears the confrontation could slide into an open conflict between Russia and NATO, whose member nations have supported Kyiv. No peace settlement is in sight.
Senior officials from southeastern European countries also were in Kyiv for a gathering focused on Black Sea and regional security. Last year’s meetingShe promised EU help in preparing Ukraine's air defenses for the colder months. That's when Russia, often launching ballistic missiles, usually tries to knock out"Energy remains an unwavering priority,” Zelenskyy said.
“It’s a special moment,” Von der Leyen said on social media. “Ukraine has built a strong military momentum. The tide is turning. ”but was held up by White House reservations, would impose steep tariffs on goods from countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports.
, was taking part in the Southeast Europe Summit in Kyiv. Serbia, which relies almost fully on Russia for its energy supplies, has refused to join Western sanctions on Moscow, although it officially supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that at least nine civilians were killed and 13 others were injured in Russian aerial attacks.
Russian forces dropped six glide bombs mostly targeting infrastructure in the Sumy region of northern Ukraine, killing three people and wounding seven, said Oleh Hryhorov, head of the regional military administration. Three people were killed and three others wounded in a Russian attack on Odesa, according to Serhii Lysak, the head of the city’s military administration.
In the Chernihiv region of northern Ukraine, Russian drones killed two people and seriously wounded an 18-year-old, while one person was killed and two injured in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, officials said. The Russian Defense Ministry said its air defenses overnight intercepted 93 Ukrainian drones over several Russian regions, as well as over Crimea and the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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