President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen emphasized during her speech in the European Parliament that Ukraine’s defense industry demonstrates high speed, efficiency, and innovation in weapon production. At the same time, she noted that the Ukrainian defense industry is currently operating at only 60% of its full capacity.
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“EU states can take loans under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program and purchase weapons from Ukraine. For EU states, this means the highest quality, speed, and low cost. For Ukraine, it means critically important revenue and the opportunity to strengthen its defense industry.”
Urgent Need for EU Rearmament
Ursula von der Leyen stressed the urgent need for the modernization and rearmament of the European Union’s armed forces, considering the growing threat from the Russian Federation. She reminded that under the SAFE program, which has a fund of €150 billion, ten EU countries have already expressed their readiness to obtain loans for joint arms purchases. This approach will allow participating countries to ensure their own security while simultaneously supporting Ukraine’s defense enterprises.
New Platform for Cooperation Between Ukraine and the EU
A digital platform called ASD Connect will be launched in Ukraine by September, allowing Ukrainian weapon manufacturers to directly interact with companies in the European Union. Through ASD Connect, companies will have the opportunity to submit requests for product supply, find partners for collaboration, participate in joint projects, and attract funding. By 2025, the platform aims to engage over 1,000 companies from the EU and at least 150 enterprises from Ukraine.