Ivan Havryliuk: A strong Europe is impossible without a strong Ukraine

Ukraine and Europe must unite their efforts in defense to guarantee the continent's security and avert future threats. 

This was stated by First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk, commenting on key areas of military cooperation with European partners.

“Today, more than ever, Europe must demonstrate strength in the face of the challenges it encounters. It is a reasonable statement that a strong Europe is inconceivable without a strong Ukraine,” he emphasized.

According to Ivan Havryliuk, defense procurement is crucial to enhancing the military's combat readiness. The key priorities in this area for 2025 have been identified as follows: enhancing procurement mechanisms, monitoring and overseeing contract execution, expanding cooperation with international partners, and establishing an effective internal control system. 

A particular focus is on supporting Ukrainian defense production.

“Over the past three years, Ukraine has achieved a breakthrough in developing its defense industry. Each year, approximately 70% of the Ministry of Defence's budget allocated for the procurement of weapons and military equipment is allocated to Ukrainian manufacturers,” noted Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk.

At the same time, due to insufficient financial resources, part of the domestic defense industry's production capacity remains underutilized. Hence, it is crucial that our allies step up their financial investments in the Ukrainian defense sector.

A potential way to fund defense production is by utilizing the profits from russia's frozen assets. Efforts are being made in cooperation with European partners on this matter. It is planned that a portion of the new tranche will be allocated for the procurement of defense products from EU member states, while the other portion will be directed towards procuring weapons and equipment from Ukrainian defense companies. Discussions with allies regarding other funding sources for the needs of Ukraine's Defence Forces are also ongoing.

“Financial support from European partners is an investment not only in bolstering Ukraine's defense capabilities but also in ensuring Europe's security," stated the First Deputy Minister of Defence.