Ukraine war: Von der Leyen announces comprehensive EU armament plan

DER SPIEGEL Ukraine war: Von der Leyen announces comprehensive EU armament plan 2 hours • 2 minutes reading time On the third anniversary of the Russian war of aggression, Western heads of government are meeting for a conference in Kyiv. EU Commission President von der Leyen now wants to deliver weapons and ammunition to Ukraine more quickly. On the third anniversary of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for further support for the attacked country and promised new projects. "A free and sovereign Ukraine is in the interest of the entire world," said the top German politician before a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj in Kyiv. Now that Ukraine's budget gap for 2025 has been closed, the immediate delivery of weapons and ammunition must now be accelerated. She wants to present a comprehensive plan as soon as possible on how the EU's arms production and defense capabilities can be expanded, says von der Leyen. Ukraine will also benefit from this. Von der Leyen also announced further measures to increase the energy security of Ukraine and the European Union. According to this, the electricity market of Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova is to be fully integrated into the EU electricity market by the end of next year. "Our close partnership is in the interest of Ukraine, but also in the interest of Europe," said the former German Defense Minister. In her opinion, Ukraine's highly innovative and efficient defense industry, for example, can strengthen the EU. Von der Leyen made the statement on the anniversary of the Russian war of aggression on a trip to Kyiv, where she plans to attend a conference organized by Zelenskyj together with Western heads of state and government this Monday. She is accompanied by EU Council President António Costa and around 20 EU commissioners. Costa declared her support for the attacked country's membership in the European Union. "The future of Ukraine is in the European Union. And Ukraine's security is Europe's security," he said in a video published on Platform X last night and addressed to Ukrainians. "We want a just, fair and lasting peace like you." The meeting in Kyiv is considered particularly important since US President Donald Trump made it clear that Ukraine can no longer rely on extensive military aid from the United States. Instead, Trump wants to force Ukraine and Russia into negotiations to end the war. Meanwhile, Russian forces are continuing to advance in eastern Ukraine, where they have captured numerous towns in recent weeks and months. The new situation will also be discussed at a special EU summit in Brussels on March 6.