Kallas: EU defence ministers support efforts to mobilise European Peace Facility funds for Ukraine

On 12 May, the Council of the European Union discussed EU military support to Ukraine, against the background of the latest developments on the ground and ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a just and lasting peace backed by robust security guarantees.

The Foreign Affairs Council with defence ministers took place in Brussels and was chaired by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas.

The Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who joined the meeting online, presented the most urgent battlefield needs and perspectives on advancing cooperation and integrating Ukrainian companies into the European defence technological and industrial base.

“Ukraine’s experience shows how quickly modern warfare evolves and also the lessons learned must shape our policy decisions. Defence innovation has to become a political priority,” Kaja Kallas said. 

The discussion focused on EU-Ukraine defence-industrial cooperation, including a state of play on the implementation of the defence component of the Ukraine Support Loan, the European Peace Facility (EPF), and other EU instruments.

Kallas reminded that Ukraine would receive the first disbursement of the €90 billion loan in June, but also highlighted the importance of continued bilateral support to meet Ukraine’s needs. She announced that EU defence ministers supported the need to find solutions to mobilise EPF funds, and concrete proposals would be tabled on this matter.

The High Representative provided an update on the EU’s contribution to security guarantees, including through strengthening the EU Satellite Centre and the so-called ‘fourth pillar’ of actions to support countering hybrid threats, defence sector reform and veteran reintegration, which was presented to EU foreign ministers at the April Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.

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