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The EU President Ursula von der Leyen has announced Ukraine and the EU will jointly work on the EU Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure Ukraine is seen as a European state.
“Now we must start thinking of Ukraine’s defence capabilities as part of our own. So we have involved Ukraine in preparing our Defence Industrial Strategy. To encourage convergence and joint planning,” wrote the EU leader on X.
This decision follows the EU President’s statement, made during a plenary session of the European Parliament, that Ukraine will “soon enough” join the EU.
“The contrast [in Ukraine] with just ten years ago could not be starker. Back then, a pro-Russia regime in Ukraine was passing authoritarian laws and killing protesters on the streets. Today, the country has just given itself new legislation to expand national minority rights, to improve the judicial system, and to ensure checks and balances on power,” EU President stated.
She pointed out that such progress had happened not only because Europe’s demands but also because “Europe is in the hearts and minds of Ukrainians” who aspire to join the Union.
Von der Leyen keeps assuring that Europe is well aware of how much is at stake for those in Ukraine and for the rest of them in Europe.
“Putin’s fantasy and fabricated war – and Ukraine’s heroic resistance has reminded us here that our freedoms and our democracy are worth fighting for,” she adds.
Read also: €50 billion Ukraine Facility payments to start in March — von der Leyen
