Ukraine must stay strong for entire region to stay strong – von der Leyen
She stated this in a video message to participants in the 5th European Defense & Security Conference in Brussels on Tuesday, Ukrinform reports.
"Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine is now in its fourth year, and we know from experience that he is a predator – one that can only be kept in check by strong deterrence. So it is imperative that when it comes to our own defense posture, we are coordinated, we are precise, and we are fast," von der Leyen said.
According to her, the war in Ukraine demonstrates "the stark reality of why strengthening Europe's defense posture is so crucial."
Von der Leyen recalled that this week she will present to the European Council a roadmap to achieve full EU defense readiness by 2030. The Readiness 2030 program aims to accelerate defense production, strengthen Europe's industrial base, and promote investment in Ukraine's defense industry.
"Ukraine must stay strong for our neighborhood to stay strong too," von der Leyen said.
She noted that 19 EU member states have applied for SAFE loans totaling EUR 150 billion for joint defense procurement and are developing national plans to maximize the benefits of these funds. Meanwhile, 16 countries have requested increased budget flexibility, which would bring total defense spending to EUR 800 billion by 2030.
At the same time, von der Leyen stressed that the EU seeks to remove bureaucratic barriers to help defense companies boost efficiency and accelerate production.
The next multiannual EU budget proposes a tenfold increase in funding for military mobility and a fivefold increase in defense investment.
Von der Leyen urged member states to cooperate on flagship initiatives, including the East Shield and the creation of a "drone wall," to develop defense industry enterprises and turn innovative ideas into deployable military technology.
"Ukraine can share vital firsthand knowledge from the battlefield that we can all benefit from. We must ensure that our civilian and military tech sectors work together more closely," she added.
Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
