Against the backdrop of news about the suspension of US defense aid to Ukraine, Europe must increase efforts to support Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
This was stated by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during a joint press conference with the Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Aarhus, where the official ceremony marking Denmark’s presidency of the EU Council is taking place.
“This is a clear signal, or a clear message, to increase our own support, to increase European defense production, not only at the EU level but across the entire continent,” said von der Leyen.
She recalled that the EU has already provided Ukraine with support worth about 50 billion euros for acquiring military equipment, specifically mentioning Denmark’s assistance, which supplied Ukraine with important artillery and F-16 fighter jets.
“From my side, I can only recommend using the SAFE instrument (Security Action for Europe, a program that involves up to 150 billion euros of investment in developing the European defense industry),” said the head of the European Commission, explaining that EU member states can use these funds either to purchase weapons for Ukraine or to invest in Ukraine’s “extremely efficient” military-industrial complex.
She recalled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement that Ukraine’s defense industry currently operates at only 60 percent capacity, meaning there is significant room for growth.
Von der Leyen also once again emphasized the urgency of increasing support for Ukraine.
