Brussels Hosts Talks on United EU-Ukraine Defence, Target Ukraine’s Industrial Integration

In a series of coordinated efforts to enhance European security and support Ukraine’s defence against ongoing Russian aggression, Brussels hosted on the 12th of May key events focusing on the future of the European defence industry and deepening cooperation with Ukraine, aiming for United EU-Ukraine Defence. These initiatives, following the EU-Ukraine Business Summit that happened last month, underscore Europe’s commitment to building a stronger, more integrated technological and industrial base capable of responding to evolving geopolitical challenges.

Strategic Dialogue with the European Defence Industry: Answering Current Challenges

President von der Leyen opened this first-ever Dialogue with representatives of the European Defence Industry such as Thales, Airbus, Navantia and Leonardo. There, she highlighted the current European priorities for its defence:

• Safeguarding European security
• Operating at scale and speed
• Ramping production further up
• Answering to persistent structural challenges, including fragmentation of demand and supply, regulatory hurdles, access to raw materials, the need for faster innovation cycles, access to finance, and a shortage of skilled labour.

The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with industry to address these issues, inviting input to inform upcoming initiatives, such as the Defence Omnibus package slated for June 2025, which aims to streamline regulations and procurement frameworks. Discussions during the dialogue covered vital areas like securing investments, enhancing cooperation, fostering innovation, securing supply chains, and developing the workforce, in line with the objectives of the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 Plan.

EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum: Building United EU-Ukraine Defence

Building on this, the second EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum took place in Brussels at the same time, specifically aimed at bolstering cooperation and integration between the Ukrainian and EU defence industries. Over 500 representatives gathered to strengthen ties, encourage joint procurement, and help Ukraine acquire capabilities in priority areas. The forum highlighted that a strong Ukrainian defence industry is crucial for the nation’s defence and deterrence.

On the side, a new EU-Ukraine Task Force on Defence Industrial Cooperation met for the first time, paving the way for potential flagship joint projects. Closer collaboration is set to further integrate Ukraine’s defence industry into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), designed to reduce dependencies on non-European industries, aligning with Ukraine’s EU aspirations and once more with the Joint White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030.

A memorandum of understanding was also signed between Ukraine and the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) to strengthen defence industrial cooperation, attract EU investment, and deepen industrial ties. Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union and host of the event remarked that the EU has emerged as the largest public investor in Ukraine’s defence industry, providing a significant €1.4 billion from the windfall profits of immobilised Russian Central Bank assets to accelerate the production of military equipment, supporting Ukraine’s defence efforts, economy, and the EU’s long-term security guarantees. She also noted that “Ukrainian defence companies have been trailblazers over the last three years and there’s a lot that other European companies can learn” from them.

This sum is part of a much larger military assistance package to Ukraine, totaling €50.3 billion at the time of writing. This includes €11.1 billion delivered through the European Peace Facility, a funding instrument that also supports other European nations like Moldova, which currently faces similar threats and risks.