Expert Explains Why EU Benefits from Investing in Ukraine Arms Production
Over the next few weeks, the European Union will allocate €900 million from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets to purchase weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. This money is not only material support, but also an important political signal - the Russian aggressor must pay for the damage it has caused. Cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the field of defence technology is also very important. It is becoming increasingly important, opening up prospects for joint arms production and strengthening both Ukrainian and European security, said Stefan Melle, director of the Dialogue Office for Civil Society Cooperation with Eastern and South Eastern Europe.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to the broadcast of the FREEDOM TV channel.
"This billion, which is now being allocated through interest from Russian money, seems to be both big and small. Of course, it is very important that it is there. But here, perhaps, the political signal is even more important than the amount itself, because what has already been transferred to Ukraine as aid and support is many times greater. But the fact that it has now been decided to use at least this percentage of Russia's reserves also shows that Russia must pay for the enormous damage it inflicts on Ukraine every day," the expert stressed.
The integration of mechanisms between the EU and Ukraine in the procurement and development of weapons, as well as the creation of joint ventures in the defence industry, is also very important today.
"This shows that both sides have something to give and invest, and it is important for both sides. For the EU, it is important because Ukraine is fighting not only for itself and repelling the attack of a dictator and his army, which may well cross other borders, into the Baltic States, Romania, and Moldova. And the fact that Ukraine has been fighting this evil quite successfully for more than three years is important for all of us," Melle said.
He emphasised that the armies of European countries are not developing now. They don't have modern weapons, they don't have combat experience.
"Now [in Europe] they are just starting to develop technical tools such as drones. This turned out to be a decisive factor in the war. Ukraine has really made a big step forward [in this regard]. And as the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has already stated, it is not only faster and cheaper to produce weapons in Ukraine, but also better. And the EU can participate in this with its money and loans," the expert said.
As The Gaze reported earlier, in 2024, the American company Northrop Grumman, the world's third-largest defence contractor by revenue, announced plans to establish production of medium-calibre ammunition in Ukraine.