EU And Ukraine Deepen Defense Ties To Strengthen European Security

On November 5, the European Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on defense-related investments within the European Union. The plan seeks to make “existing European research and innovation [programs] accessible to technologies with dual use of military applications.” Additionally, the European Council and the European Parliament announced that Ukrainian companies would be eligible to participate in projects associated with the European Defense Fund, a program that supports research and development. Ukrainian businesses will also be allowed to integrate with the European defense technological and industrial base.

The agreement reached by the European Council and the European Parliament, with support of the European Commission, marks the latest development in efforts by countries across Europe to facilitate faster and better-coordinated investments in European defense. Members of the EU are hopeful that the latest discussions will help them boost their national security, as these European countries seek to increase defense spending, alleviate pressures on the European defense industrial base, and enhance their militaries.

European Defense Efforts During Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion Of Ukraine

Formed in 2021, the EDF aims to foster cooperation among companies across the EU, enhance European defense through investments, and support EU businesses in developing cutting-edge defense technologies and equipment. The initiative gained greater prominence following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the Europeans have aimed to prioritize national security as members of the EU hope to strengthen the European continent. EU members have also committed themselves to helping Ukraine during the war by supplying it with Western weapons, technologies, defense equipment, and other forms of assistance.

But as Europeans seek to provide aid to Ukraine, several challenges have emerged. During Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Europeans have realized that they do not have the capacity to supply state-of-the-art materials to Ukraine quickly and efficiently while also replenishing and refurbishing their own stockpiles. Additionally, there has been an unequal contribution to European defense efforts and aid to Ukraine amongst the 27 members of the EU. According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, EU members such as Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden have contributed significant defense assistance to Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion. They have also invested in their own defense efforts. But EU members such as France, Italy, and Spain have struggled to make significant contributions to their defense. This has led to a discussion on burden sharing within the EU. (The term burden sharing refers to the distribution of costs by a collective toward defense efforts, where the group seeks to contribute fairly and equally.)

Additionally, there have been discussions on how the EU will provide defense assistance to Ukraine. As the EU seeks to strengthen European national security and support Ukraine, some countries, such as Italy and Spain, have reported facing financial difficulties in their efforts to increase defense spending. Aside from this challenge, they have also argued that sending defense aid to Ukraine is expensive.

EU-Ukraine Defense Collaboration

To address concerns about national security and defense, the EU has partnered with Ukraine in defense research, development, and innovation. One method has been through the creation of the European Defense Innovation Office in Kyiv.

“Establishing EUDIO in Kyiv was a deliberate strategic choice,” Dr. Justina Budginaite-Froehly, a Nonresident Fellow with the Atlantic Council, told me in an interview. “The office assists Ukrainian companies in accessing EU funding frameworks—such as the Security Action for Europe and, after recent political approval, also the European Defense Fund—while ensuring that Ukraine’s battlefield-tested innovations feed directly into Europe’s defense-industrial base. By transforming frontline ingenuity into scalable solutions on the European level, EUDIO supports Ukraine’s defense efforts and strengthens Europe’s defense readiness. Ultimately, EUDIO’s presence in Kyiv reflects the EU’s recognition that supporting Ukraine’s defense is key to protecting Europe’s own security. It turns innovation into a reciprocal exchange, with Europe gaining from Ukraine’s experience just as Ukraine benefits from its strengthening ties with Europe.”

Created in 2024, EUDIO aims to integrate Ukraine’s defense industry into the EU’s defense industrial landscape. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians have had the opportunity to showcase aspects of their defense innovation to the Europeans during Russia’s full-scale invasion, where the Ukrainians have educated and informed the Europeans about the development of new technologies. It has also led to the sharing of information between these two parties.

“[EUDIO] is a huge win for Europe,” Dr. Alexandra Chinchilla, an Assistant Professor of International Affairs at Texas A&M University, told me in an interview. “No one has more experience battle-testing defense technology than Ukraine. Particularly when it comes to drones and electronic warfare, Ukraine is on the technological forefront and has unmatched knowledge about what works against Russia. The European defense industry has a lot to gain from closer collaboration with Ukrainian firms.”

Throughout the collaboration between the EU and Ukraine via EUDIO, the EU has provided Ukraine with modern mine-clearing machines and demining equipment. These devices have allowed the Ukrainians to detect and clear landmines across their country. Once the mines are safely removed, the Ukrainians utilize this land for agricultural purposes and reconstruction. Having obtained this equipment and technology from the EU, the Ukrainians have now started to develop their own demining equipment.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has contributed its own insights to the EU. Having successfully developed and used drones to combat Russia’s ongoing invasion, as well as striking Russian military targets, such as Russia’s naval fleet on the Black Sea, ammo depots in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, and energy facilities deep within Russian territory, the Ukrainians are educating the Europeans about drone warfare. The EU has even committed to spending $2 billion on Ukrainian drones as the Europeans seek to learn more from Ukraine.

These examples of technology sharing could alleviate burdens on the defense industrial complex within the EU and Ukraine. Sharing EU information and technology on defense equipment would enable Ukrainians to manufacture weapons and equipment in their own factories, thereby reducing production time and delays, as the materials would be produced in-house rather than sourced from various parts of Europe. The Ukrainians would also be able to make these devices and equipment at lower costs. For example, the Ukrainian-made FP-1 “Fire Point” drone costs $55,000 to produce. Meanwhile, a drone created within the EU costs $700,000. Despite the drastic cost difference, Ukrainian drones have proven to be very effective.

Now, with the European Council, the European Parliament, and the European Commission agreeing to allow Ukrainian businesses to access the EDF, this will further strengthen the EU and Ukraine. It will encourage interoperability between the two parties, thereby enhancing integration between European and Ukrainian defenses. This cooperation will enable both the EU and Ukraine to have the latest weapons, technology, and equipment, thereby further strengthening the security of the European continent. Finally, it will reaffirm the EU’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.

“By harmonizing procurement rules, governance structures, and long-term security priorities, these initiatives [between the EU and Ukraine] foster broader legal and strategic alignment between Ukraine and Europe, thereby transcending the temporary nature of military aid,” Budginaite-Froehly told me in an interview. “It is crucial to stress that this integration is mutually beneficial: while Ukraine gains practical anchoring within Europe, European states gain access to Ukrainian innovation, operational experience, and lessons drawn from real-time battlefield experience. Together, these three strands—operational, industrial, and strategic—are reshaping Europe’s defense architecture into a more agile and forward-looking system with Ukraine as its integral part.”

Many Europeans have previously commented on the need to address burden sharing and defense issues across the European continent. They have also begun to prioritize the national security of Europe. Engaging with Ukraine, a country actively fighting in a war and experimenting various technologies to strengthen its defense, may be the solution the EU needs to establish a strong and defense-ready European continent.