EU to open joint defense innovations office with Ukraine in Kyiv – European Commission's President
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announces the deepening of EU cooperation with Ukraine in the field of defense and plans to integrate the Ukrainian defense industry with the EU one.
"We will integrate now Ukraine and our defense programs, and we will open an office in Kyiv for defense innovation," she said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, noting the Ukrainian army's success in using drones.
She said the European Union plans to unveil a defense industry strategy in about three weeks that will emphasize increased investment in the local defense sector and take into account lessons from the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen also spoke in favor of creating a new position in the European Commission as European Commissioner for Defense, who would deal, among other things, with the industrial aspects of defense policy.
"If I would be the next Commission President, I would install the Commissioner for Defense… It's important for the Central and Eastern European countries to have good portfolios and this is a good portfolio," the President of the European Commission said.