EU-Ukraine Task Force Seeks Defence Industry Integration

European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius has called for deeper integration between the European Union and Ukrainian defence industries, emphasizing that such collaboration is crucial for strengthening Europe's security and countering Russian aggression. He highlighted Ukraine's battle-tested, modern, and cost-efficient defence production capacity as a valuable asset that Europe can learn from and benefit economically. Kubilius announced the creation of an EU-Ukraine Task Force to facilitate joint projects, procurement processes, and the sharing of innovations, particularly in areas like drones and artificial intelligence. Ukraine’s defence industry has rapidly expanded since 2022, with its annual production capacity expected to reach €35 billion in 2025, while European industry is still catching up. He argued that integrating Ukraine's innovative capabilities and production with European resources would allow Europe to produce more and innovate faster, moving from a logic of assistance to one of partnership. Kubilius also underscored Ukraine’s future role as a key component of Europe's security architecture.