BRUSSELS – ANSWER. Improving operational readiness and EU defense cooperation The Defense Ministers and the High Representative discussed yesterday in Brussels Joseph Borel. The meeting was also attended by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to exchange views, which was attended by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov via videoconference.

During his speech, Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that cooperation with the EU. “tighter than ever” reaching “unprecedented levels” at a more dangerous time, hailing the bravery and successes of the Ukrainian military in Kherson but warning that Russia’s military capabilities should not be underestimated.

The European Defense Ministers were briefed on the situation on the battlefield and agreed that a European military training mission should be carried out immediately to strengthen the defense, which envisages that 15,000 Ukrainian troops will be trained in more than 20 countries in the first year. the needs of the country. “This war is a supply war,” Mr. Borrell said at the press conference that followed. “Supply chains and air defense systems are vital,” he said, highlighting the contribution of European states in the form of sending military equipment.

Meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels in the presence of cg NATO Jens Stoltenberg, who warned that Russia’s military potential should not be underestimated.

The Ministerial Council also discussed the need for joint investment in defense, as well as the need for greater cooperation and interoperability among European forces. According to the European Defense Agency’s agreed annual report, over the next three years, Member States, which invested €214 billion in 2021, are projected to need to spend at least another €70 billion to cover the defense investment gap and to boost the EU’s preparedness. In doing so, they should work on increasing the cooperation of European forces to 35%, since at the moment the troops cooperate only by 18%.

Arriving at the meeting, Mr. Borrell mentioned the need for joint procurement of defense equipment from the EU in order to better manage defense resources. Brussels’ intention is reportedly for member states to approach the defense industry as a block to achieve higher quality and lower prices for equipment purchases.

In addition, the defense ministers considered two scenarios for the rapid deployment of European troops, which relate to the rescue and evacuation of civilians and the subsequent stage of stabilization of areas after periods of crisis. Relevant military exercises are expected to take place in the second half of 2023, and rapid development plans should be fully operational by 2025.

Finally, Mr. Borrell stressed the need to ensure the sustainability of the European Peace Mechanism, which has received a total of 3.1 billion euros in support of Ukraine since the start of the war, which is 2/3 of its total budget.