First Meeting of the EU–Ukraine Task Force on Defence Industrial Cooperation

On 12 May 2025 was held the first meeting of the EU–Ukraine Task Force on Defence Industrial Cooperation, in the framework of the second EU–Ukraine Defence Industry Forum. Announced in the White Paper for European Defence Readiness 2030, this Task Force aims to foster Ukraine’s integration into the EU defence innovation ecosystem.

The meeting gathered representatives from Ukraine’s Ministries of Strategic Industries, Defence, and Foreign Affairs, alongside officials from the Office of the President and Ukraine’s Mission to the EU, as well as representatives from the European External Action Service, the European Commission (DG DEFIS), and the European Defence Agency (EDA).

 Discussions focused on defining the scope and priorities of the Task Force, addressing short and long-term cooperation needs, and exploring joint collaboration opportunities.

 Key objectives include:

• Enhancing EU–Ukraine industrial cooperation and integration;
• Facilitating structured exchanges on production capacities and operational challenges, along with lessons learned on high-intensity warfare.
• Supporting Ukraine’s full participation in EU defence programmes for industrial reinforcement actions and common procurement

This Task Force will contribute to the integration of the Ukrainian defence industry into the European Defence Technology Industrial Base (EDTIB) and boost mutually beneficial cooperation, providing added value to the European Defence capabilities and strategic autonomy.

Next steps:

The Task Force will focus on the identification of concrete collaboration opportunities in priority capability areas, to promote industrial reinforcement actions and common EU–Ukraine defence procurement.