Ukraine will become a full-fledged part of the new European defense architecture established under the EDIP (European Defence Industry Programme), and aligning Ukraine’s defense systems with the EU will make both sides stronger against shared threats.
This was stated by EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, ahead of MEPs’ vote on EDIP.
“Ukraine can participate in this legal framework and develop joint European defense projects. This means not just a presence in our mechanisms, but real involvement in creating new joint productions and technologies that will form the foundation of Europe’s future security,” Kubilius emphasized.
He added that EDIP also allows for the integration of Ukrainian technologies into European industry, including implementing advanced solutions tested in real wartime conditions into the EU industrial chain.
“This will strengthen both Europe and Ukraine at the same time. Ukraine’s defense can be aligned with European defense—we need these Ukrainian innovations, even as Ukraine needs us. Joint planning and mutual integration will make our defense systems far more effective and resilient against any threats,” the commissioner noted.
Kubilius reminded that the program has a budget of 1.5 billion euros for 2025–2027, of which 300 million euros are allocated to support Ukraine’s defense industry. EDIP also provides for joint procurement, shared supply chains, joint production of defense products, rapid mobilization of industrial capacities, and the creation of a unified mechanism to ensure the security and availability of defense products across Europe.
“The preparation period is now over—we must move to action. Without EDIP, there will be no convincing results for European defense readiness,” Kubilius stressed.
EDIP was proposed by the European Commission in spring 2024 as a key tool to strengthen the EU’s defense industry. If approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday, the next step will be formal adoption by the EU Council.
