President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen noted that the Ukrainian defense industry is operating at only 60% capacity. She expressed admiration for the efficiency and ingenuity of Ukrainian defense production.
'Now Member States can procure Ukrainian products directly from the defense industry through the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program,' von der Leyen noted in the European Parliament.
It was noted that this will allow EU countries to obtain high-quality products quickly and at low prices. For Ukraine, this will be an opportunity to increase profits and strengthen the defense-industrial base.
Russia is rapidly rearming - President of the European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the urgent need for the rearmament of the European Union, noting that 'Russia is quickly strengthening its military power.' The President of the European Commission pointed to recent Russian attacks on Ukraine and warned of the existing threat.
'Just a week ago, Russia carried out the largest number of missile and drone strikes on Ukraine during the war. Over 500 strikes in just a few hours. The war continues,' she noted.
Von der Leyen urged the European Union not to rely on others in matters of defense and emphasized the need to strengthen Europe's defense capabilities as a shared responsibility.
Ursula von der Leyen expressed support and called on EU countries to strengthen their defense sector in the face of the growing threat from Russia and to enhance readiness for possible conflicts. She also emphasized the importance of joint actions and support among European countries to ensure peace and security in the region.