German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attend a press conference at the German Chancellery in Berlin, Germany on April 14, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua)

BERLIN, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Germany and Ukraine announced on Tuesday to elevate their bilateral relations to a "strategic partnership," with the two countries' leaders vowing to enhance cooperation on defense and economy.

On Tuesday, the two sides held their first intergovernmental consultations in over 20 years and signed multiple defense agreements.

Among them was an agreement to exchange digital combat data for the development of new weapon systems, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at a press conference together with visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A joint declaration issued on Tuesday said the two sides will start new cooperation for industrial recovery as well as foster cooperation on cyber, agriculture, energy, and critical minerals.

Merz called for a negotiated, lasting end to the Ukraine crisis, stressing that Europe must secure a seat at the table in any future peace negotiations.

Zelensky said he believes that ultimately, there will be agreements in which Europe is involved. ■

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R, rear) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attend a press conference at the German Chancellery in Berlin, Germany on April 14, 2026. (Xinhua/Zhang Haofu)