Ukraine locks in major role within new EU defense structure
Photo: EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
Next week, the European Union will launch a high-level defense working group, which will also include representatives from Ukraine and the UK, according to a Ukrinform correspondent. The decision was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas following an informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Ireland.
Who will be part of the group
Kallas stated that the following week she would establish a new high-level defense group that would include senior political and military leaders from several EU countries, as well as the UK and Ukraine.
The specific names of Ukrainian representatives will be announced at the group's launch ceremony next week - according to Kallas, various parties have shown great interest in participating, including ideas for enhancing defense capabilities from the private sector.
Why the group is being created
Kallas emphasized that although Europe is investing more in defense than ever before, spending alone does not guarantee success.
She said that Europe had not moved quickly enough to address the gaps identified in its conventional forces within NATO. She added that the goal was to bring together some of the brightest minds in security and defense to develop unconventional solutions for closing those gaps more quickly and effectively, particularly as the security threat in Europe had become much more real.
RBC-Ukraine has written repeatedly about support for Ukraine from Kallas and the EU. That same day, the EU's top diplomat called for transferring interceptor missiles with expiring shelf lives to Ukraine—against the backdrop of escalating Russian attacks.
Earlier, in early August, the EU also increased sanctions pressure on Russia - on August 7, EU countries agreed on new restrictions against five representatives of Russia's military-industrial complex.
