The European Union should establish close cooperation with Ukraine in the field of armaments and defence, and support for Kyiv as it defends itself against Russian aggression should be continued "in every way possible".
This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her speech at the European Parliament plenary session on 6 February, Deutsche Welle reports.
"As we look to the future, we have to understand Ukraine's defence capability as part of our own, and consider the Ukrainian defence industry as part of our defence industry. That is why we have involved Ukraine in the development of our defence and industrial strategy," she stressed.
According to the European Commission President, this is the first step that should lead to Ukraine's integration into some European defence programmes, if necessary and with the consent of the European Parliament and the European Council.
"Ukraine is a future member of our European Union. Therefore, it should become much closer to us, including in the field of defence," von der Leyen said.
She also called on EU countries to continue to support Ukraine, in particular for the sake of Europe's secure future. By attacking Ukraine, Putin "has launched a fight against all of us – against our freedom, self-determination and democracy".
"Ukraine is fighting not only for itself, but also for Europe, for everything we believe in," von der Leyen said.
"Europe will be on Ukraine's side every day of the war. And every day after that. This is what it means to be a European," she stressed.
The President of the European Commission reminded that the EU had trained more than 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers and sent military equipment worth €28 billion to Kyiv during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. According to her, the European defence industry has increased its ammunition production capacity by 40%.
More than half a million artillery shells will be delivered to Ukraine by March. The same amount is planned to be delivered by the end of the year, she stressed.
Background. As a reminder, the leaders of all 27 EU member states have agreed to provide Ukraine with a €50 billion aid package. These funds are intended to restore and modernise the country, as well as its gradual integration into the European Union. The funds will be provided for the period from 2024 to 2027.