Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Commission would present a proposal in three weeks, at the Munich Security Conference.
The European Commission will present a proposal for a defense industrial strategy in three weeks, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference, also mentioning the opening of a defense office. defense innovation in Ukraine.
This must include an overall increase in defense spending and common procurement measures, including measures to improve the interoperability of EU systems.
“We must outwit Russia, said Ursula von der Leyen.And you see that Ukraine, where rightly every life matters, is becoming very smart now, for example, taking our old weapons systems and modernizing them with artificial intelligence, to be more precise, to be more intelligent. So it’s very fascinating to also see the development of drone production. And this is why we will now integrate Ukraine into our defense programs.”
Also adding: “The European Union must undoubtedly strengthen its defense industrial base. And therefore we must be much better at defense production. If I were to be the next President of the Commission, I would install a Defense Commissioner .”
Interventions by Volodymyr Zelensky and Kamala Harris
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned his allies on Saturday that a “artificial deficit” arms for his country risked giving Russia a respite, underscoring the need for artillery and long-range weapons after the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Avdiivka.
“We are just waiting for weapons that we lack”he added, emphasizing the lack of long-range weapons. “That’s why our weapon today is our soldiers, our people.”
Ukraine’s European allies are pressuring the US Congress to approve a package that includes $60 billion in aid to Ukraine.
US Vice President Kamala Harris said after meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky that “it’s in the strategic order” of the United States to continue the support.
“History shows us: if we allow an aggressor like Putin to appropriate land with impunity, he continues. Other potential aggressors then become emboldened.”said Kamal Harris.
Also at the conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the congressional delay had resulted in the abandonment of the flow of US arms and munitions, with a direct impact on the front line.
“Every week of waiting means more people will be killed on the front lines in Ukraine”did he declare.
