United to win: EU to launch innovative defense office in Kyiv

The European Union plans to open an innovative defense office in Kyiv and integrate Ukraine into the European defense and industrial complex.

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated this, according to the telethon broadcast.

"We are doubling our military support to Ukraine. We have already provided 28 billion euros and are working on creating a special fund to purchase weapons. At the same time, the defense industry of the EU countries is building up its capabilities. We have already provided half a million ammunition, and by the end of the year, we will transfer one million… We want to strengthen the defense of Ukraine's power, " the European Commission head reported.

According to her, a new defense industry strategy is currently being developed, which will be presented in three weeks.

"This will be the first step towards integrating Ukraine into our defense industrial programs in Europe. We learn from your experience on the battlefield, we want to intensify this cooperation, and for this, we want to open an innovative defense office in Kyiv," she added.

For reference:

It should be noted that on February 24, on the occasion of the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, arrived in Kyiv for an official visit. During the meeting of the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal, with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the following steps were coordinated within the framework of the Ukraine Facility initiative, which allocates 50 billion euros over four years.

The first tranche will go to the Ukrainian budget already in the spring of this year.