The European Union gave a new signal about the future accession of Ukraine

In the new military-industrial defense strategy, the European Union considers Ukraine as a quasi-member, Politico reported.

          According to the executive vice-president of the European Commission, Margrethe Vestager, such a step represents a signal of approval of Ukraine’s accession to the EU.

          As the publication notes, one of the key points of the strategy is that Kiev will be treated almost as a member capable of participating in joint procurement. In addition, Ukrainian companies will be eligible to receive EDIP funds.

          EDIP is a regulation proposed by the Commission to start implementing the concrete measures identified in the European Defense Industrial Strategy and has the following objectives:

          - offering financial support in the amount of 1.5 billion euros from the EU budget in the period 2025-2027;

          - strengthening the competitiveness and responsiveness of the technological and industrial defense base of the EU;

          - ensuring the availability and supply of defense products;

          - promoting cooperation with Ukraine regarding the recovery, reconstruction and modernization of its defense industry.

          ,,Ukraine will be able to benefit from the support of this strategy for its defense industry and increase its production capacity like any European company’’, said European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton.

          He emphasized that the goal is to prepare for the integration of the Ukrainian defense production apparatus into that of the EU.

          Earlier, it was reported that Brussels aims to increase the pace of military procurement within the Union until 2035.