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Brussels – The European Union has not lagged, it is doing enough for Ukraine, but it is necessary to maintain maximum support and also focus on defense innovations and research. In an interview with ČTK, Jiří Šedivý, the executive director of the European Defense Agency (EDA), who is one of the highest-ranking Czechs in Brussels, stated this. According to him, it is important that EU member states give contracts to the European defense industry, because there are unused production capacities.
“Firstly, the European Union and its member states were the first to start supplying weapons to Ukraine. Secondly, when you look at the total volume of funds, we are at about 150 billion euros, which is more than the United States (provided),” stated Šedivý. According to him, approximately 50 billion euros went to military material, with further finances going to humanitarian aid or the stabilization of the Ukrainian budget. “So the European Union has not lagged behind in any case. Of course, we can all do more, but let’s recall the six months when 60 billion dollars for Ukraine’s support were frozen in the US Congress,” added the former Czech defense minister and Czech ambassador to NATO.
What has changed for the European Defense Agency, which is one of the EU agencies, just after the start of the war in Ukraine? “Perhaps the most visible was our involvement in acquiring ammunition for Ukraine. I signed about 60 framework agreements with more than 20 armament companies in the EU concerning the acquisition of ammunition,” described Šedivý. Through these framework agreements, ammunition was purchased for about ten member states worth around 350 billion euros. “Part went to Ukraine, part to the replenishment of domestic stocks,” he added. According to Šedivý, it should also not be forgotten that the EU created a training mission that has already seen 70,000 Ukrainian soldiers go through it.
In connection with the increase in defense budgets, which is currently being discussed by EU states, he mentioned the need for larger investments. “Contracts need to be given to the European defense industry,” he said. “I have already mentioned that we made framework contracts for the purchase of 155 mm caliber ammunition for heavy artillery and contracts worth 350 million euros were implemented. We communicate with the defense industry and know that there is unused capacity for almost another one billion euros. If member states were to close contracts with them,” added Šedivý. “On the one hand, there are high political statements or ambitions, but then when it comes to implementation, it lags behind,” he added.
According to the head of the EDA agency, the most important thing now is to maintain support for Ukraine. “And if the United States falls out of this formula, then do the maximum to be able to compensate for any potential shortfall in support from the USA,” stated Šedivý. According to him, there is certainly potential in the European Union, but it will be much more challenging to achieve unity and some joint decision within the current twenty-seven. Defense is ultimately in the hands of member states, and each of them has a right of veto. (March 14)