EU Should Integrate Ukraine into Its Defence Union, Says Commissioner Kubilius
Commissioner Kubilius Advocates for Ukraine's Integration into EU Defence
EU Defence Integration and Ukraine's Role
BRUSSELS, June 23 (Reuters) - The EU needs to integrate Ukraine in a future defence union, EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on Tuesday.
Ukraine's Military Transformation
"Thanks to transformation of its war doctrine, Ukraine is prevailing," Kubilius said in a speech in Brussels.
Strategic Importance of Integration
"It would be difficult to understand if we in Europe would not take it as our vital interest to integrate the military force of Ukraine into our European defence architecture," he said.
Upcoming EU Defence Market Proposals
The European Commission will likely present first proposals for a further integration of the European defence market next week "with detailed analysis and follow up steps", the commissioner said, speaking at the European Defence and Security summit.
Future Changes in Defence Procurement
"Later this year we will present a proposal to change defence procurement rules. And other market rules," he added.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Andrew Gray, writing by Bart Meijer, Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout)
