Within the framework of the SAFE security initiative announced by the EU, the Ukrainian defense industry will be able to be involved on an equal footing with the defense industries of EU member states.

Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economic Affairs, announced this during a briefing in Kyiv.

Dombrovskis pointed out that the day before, the European Commission unveiled the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 initiative.

It will mobilize up to EUR 800 billion over the next 40 years to strengthen defense capabilities by increasing defense spending.

“So, we obviously expect discussions on this package, and I hope that decisions will be made and a willingness to move forward with this initiative will be expressed,” Dombrovskis noted.

Dombrovskis also focused on a part of the European project SAFE (Security Action for Europe), a €150 billion funding program under which Ukraine’s defense industry can participate in projects on an equal footing with the EU military industry.

“Thus, we are integrating Ukraine into this mechanism for strengthening the EU’s defense capabilities,” the European Commissioner emphasized.

In addition, he expects that defense issues and continued support for Ukraine will be largely on the agenda of the summit in Brussels on March 20.

During the extraordinary defense summit of EU leaders on March 6, all EU leaders, including Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, voted unanimously in favor of the ReArm Europe proposal.

As reported, the White Paper, presented in Brussels on March 19, forms a new approach to defense and identifies the EU’s investment needs.

The document identifies seven priority problems in the defense of the EU member states that currently have gaps and will be crucial for creating a reliable European defense in the future.

The White Paper presents solutions to address critical capability gaps and build a strong defense industrial base.