Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, has proposed the use of European funds to enhance military manufacturing in Ukraine. This initiative comes in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Borrell emphasized the importance of local production in Ukraine, supported by European firms, to streamline production times and reduce transportation costs.
Borrell also highlighted the potential use of the European Peace Mechanism to subsidize weapon supplies to Kyiv. The EU’s goal is to support the Ukrainian defense industry by fostering cooperation between European and Ukrainian arms companies. Priority resources such as air defense, ammunition, missiles, and drones are of particular interest for increasing local manufacturing in Ukraine. Ukrainian Minister of Strategic Industry, Oleksandr Kamyshin, emphasized the need for more funds to produce weapons in Ukraine quickly to support the front lines.
The forum aims to strengthen the Ukrainian defense industry, which has demonstrated competitiveness and alignment with European standards. Additionally, the EU’s Defense industrial strategy presented last March aims to see 50% of the EU’s military acquisitions sourced from European equipment by 2030. This includes a budget line specifically for enhancing the Ukrainian Defense industry. The ongoing collaboration between European and Ukrainian arms manufacturers seeks to strengthen defense capabilities while promoting European integration in the defense sector.