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The President of the Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE), Anatoliy Kinakh, held an online meeting with the EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, former Prime Minister of Lithuania Mr. Andrius Kubilius.
The meeting also included ULIE Vice Presidents Leonid Kozachenko, Serhiy Tykhonov, and Robert Mirek Hoffman, ULIE President’s advisor on Ukraine-Poland economic cooperation.
The parties discussed the integration of the Ukrainian defense industry complex into EU defense development programs and joint projects in the space sector.
Notably, the position of EU Commissioner for Defense, responsible for the industrial aspects of defense policy, is new within the European Commission structure. This indicates a prioritization of this field in the EU’s policies for the coming years, as well as recognition by Western partners of the threat posed by Russia not only to Ukraine but to European nations and NATO as a whole.
Mr. Kubilius confirmed these points, adding that the European Union must be prepared for any form of Russian military aggression against member countries.
“Therefore, the defense industry and space sectors are priorities. Serial production needs to be scaled up in these areas. Discussions are ongoing in the European Parliament on how to integrate our capabilities with those of Ukraine, as this will be mutually beneficial. Ukraine will receive much-needed funding, and European defense technologies will work toward collective security,” noted the Commissioner.
He also highlighted the promising prospects for cooperation in the space sector, noting Ukraine’s rich intellectual potential (ideas, developments, and designs) and its capabilities for production and implementation of new developments within the EU.
In turn, Anatoliy Kinakh emphasized that scaling up serial production of weapons and equipment essential for Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression is impossible without resources. “On our part, we are actively adapting defense industry standards and technical regulations to NATO requirements and exploring every opportunity for organizing and maintaining serial production.”
“We would ask for stronger cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the defense sector – through your office and other EU institutions,” Kinakh stressed.
Representatives of ULIE presented the activities of the Premier-U Foundation, established in Poland by the business union. Its mission is to advocate for accelerated recovery of Ukraine, Euro-integration, forming Ukraine’s future elite based on European law, anti-corruption efforts, and gender policy. Members of its Supervisory Board include former Prime Ministers of Ukraine (A. Kinakh, Y. Yekhanurov), Poland (K. Marcinkiewicz), and potentially other EU countries. Former President of Poland and renowned social activist Lech Wałęsa has agreed to serve as a goodwill ambassador for Premier-U, advocating global solidarity with Ukraine.
Following Mr. Kubilius’s recommendation, the Foundation is considering opening a representative office in Brussels. Its first open Supervisory Board meeting is scheduled for January 2025, with participation from European politicians and media.
Additionally, ULIE expressed its willingness to assist in organizing a visit by the Defense Commissioner to Ukraine, including preparation of analytical information, meetings with industrialists, and more.
The parties agreed to maintain regular working communication.