Ukraine’s Role in European Defense Fund: Minister of Defense Calls for Participation

During the meeting, the ministers of the member states discussed increasing military support to Ukraine and strengthening European defense capabilities in the changing geopolitical conditions.

In the first working session of the meeting, which was dedicated to Ukraine, Sprud emphasized the need to support Ukraine’s participation in the European Defense Fund.

Such a step would not only open up new opportunities for companies for wider product testing, but would also promote the transfer of valuable practical knowledge about the application of military equipment in real combat conditions.

“In order for Europe to be able to adapt to the rapidly changing security situation, we must primarily strengthen our defense capabilities and industrial capacity. However, European security cannot be separated from the situation in Ukraine. By supporting Ukraine’s participation in the European Defense Fund, we achieve a double benefit – we strengthen Ukraine’s defense industry in the fight against the aggressor and at the same time promote innovation in Europe based on real battlefield experience,” emphasized Spruds.

During the meeting, the minister confirmed Latvia’s commitment to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine both bilaterally and through international mechanisms, including the European Union’s military training mission in Ukraine and the Goodwill Coalition.

In the second session of the meeting, the representatives of the member states discussed current European security issues. In the discussions, Sprud emphasized the importance of transatlantic cooperation and EU-NATO mutual interaction, stressing the need for the institutions to complement each other in order to effectively address today’s global security challenges.