German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul calls for increased Ukrainian defense procurement

German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul stated on September 8, 2026, that Ukraine should prioritize purchasing more weapons from German manufacturers. Wadephul emphasized that as Germany is currently the primary international supporter of Kyiv, the German government expects reciprocal participation of its domestic defense industry in all Ukrainian procurement processes, expressing dissatisfaction with current order levels. He noted that these expectations were communicated to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The minister also addressed recent diplomatic tensions with Russia following an attempted drone attack at the Leipzig/Halle airport in August, which German authorities blamed on Russia. Wadephul rejected claims by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that Germany's response constitutes the start of a "real war." He characterized Lavrov’s rhetoric as a sign of Russian desperation regarding the ongoing conflict, suggesting that Moscow is attempting to influence German public opinion and sow insecurity, particularly during regional election periods like those in Saxony-Anhalt. Wadephul affirmed that Germany will remain steadfast in its military support for Ukraine despite these threats.