EU provides Ukraine with massive support to bring it closer to European armies, NATO - Michel

The European Union does not disclose details on specific cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities in providing military assistance, but this assistance is aimed at increasing the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and bringing them closer to the standards of European armies and NATO.

President of the European Council Charles Michel said this today in Brussels during a press conference following the second day of the EU summit.

This was his answer to a question from an Ukrinform correspondent about building up the capabilities of the defense industry and the possibility of involving Ukrainian enterprises in production to supply Ukrainian troops on the battlefield.

"It is very clear that I won’t share all the details regarding the close coordination between the Ukrainian authorities and European member states in terms of military cooperation and military coordination. But one thing is absolutely clear what we are doing with the massive support, we are bringing to Ukraine, in terms of military equipment, is making the Ukrainian army closer to the European Union and closer to NATO," the President of the European Council emphasized.

Charles Michel noted that all the military assistance and equipment provided to Ukraine by the member states help it move in this direction.

"I'm absolutely confident that we will make a lot of progress because we understand on the EU side that we really need to adapt our industrial strategy in order to make sure that it will be in line with our ambition for a real European defense," Michel added.

As previously reported, a two-day EU summit was held in Brussels on June 29-30. Among other issues, the EU leaders reviewed the situation in Ukraine and reaffirmed their unwavering determination to continue supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary, including through political, economic, financial, military and humanitarian assistance.