The European Union has engaged Ukraine in developing the future industrial strategy for the defence sector of EU countries. According to “EuropeanPravda” this was announced by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, during her address to the European Parliament.

Von der Leyen reminded that EU member states collectively provided Ukraine with military aid exceeding 28 billion euros, assisted in training over 40 thousand military personnel, and bolstered European defence industry capabilities by 40%.

By March, the number of artillery shells supplied to Ukraine will surpass half a million.

However, she underscored that this is insufficient.

“We must not only speed up the supply of ammunition. Looking to the future, we must consider Ukraine’s defence capabilities as part of our own.

We have to think of Ukraine’s defence industry as part of our own. So we have engaged Ukraine in the preparation of our industrial strategy.

This is a first step that should lead to the integration of Ukraine into some of our defence programmes – with the consent of the European Parliament and the EU Council when necessary.

This will help not only to meet Ukraine’s defence needs, but also to promote coherence and joint planning between our military and defence industries,” stated Ursula von der Leyen.

This marks the initial step towards integrating Ukraine into some of our defence programs—with the consent of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU when necessary.

This will aid not only in fulfilling Ukraine’s defence needs but also in promoting coordination and joint planning of our military and defence industries,” highlighted Ursula von der Leyen.

She stressed that at this stage of the conflict, European policymakers must “maintain momentum” to assist Ukraine in defending itself and securing the future of the rest of European countries, while also considering future reconstruction, security guarantees for Ukraine, and strengthening international security architecture.

“I am absolutely convinced… that Ukraine will endure. And Europe will stand by its side at every stage of this journey,” stated the President of the European Commission.

Recall that at the extraordinary summit on 1st February, EU leaders did not reach a decision on establishing a special fund for military support to Ukraine.

However, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, speaks of progress being made on this issue.

Meanwhile, during this summit, a crucial decision was made for Ukraine regarding multi-year macro-financial assistance of 50 billion euros.

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participates in a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group

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